Energy drinks can hurt your mouth. They can cause:
- Breakdown of your tooth’s surface from the high acidity and sugar, leading to less protection for the tooth and tooth decay
- Sensitive teeth
- Cavities from tooth decay
They can also cause:
- Irritation, anxiety, aggression, and decreased attention span
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Headaches
- Daytime sleepiness
Here’s how you can protect your mouth:
- Make water your drink of choice. Water is the most nutritious beverage and is recommended by Canada’s Food Guide.
- Set limits. The more often you have energy drinks (and other sugary beverages), the more damage they will cause.
- If you have one, rinse your mouth with water afterward to help protect your teeth’s surfaces from breakdown.
Resources
- TBDHU: Healthy Eating
- TBDHU: Skip the Juice
- Unlock Food: Energy Drink Facts
- Canadian Dental Association: Junk Food and Child Health
- Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association: Nutrition and Oral Health
For Further Information
Contact the Oral Health Program at (807) 625-5900 (Thunder Bay) or toll-free 1-888-294-6630 (District).