Sports drinks may quench your thirst, but they also contain high amounts of sugar and acids. These can both erode teeth incredibly easily and even dissolve fluoride-rich enamel, increasing the risk for cavities.
The best thing you can do is avoid sports drinks altogether and ask your child to hydrate themselves with plain water. Always talk to your pediatric dentist directly before using sports drinks.
If having sports drinks, make sure to:
- Swallow right away and never swish it around your mouth
- Reduce your consumption rate and the amount of time it makes contact with enamel
- Use water to rinse mouthguards
- Alternating between the sports drink and sips of water
- Look for sports drinks that are enamel friendly