A group of New Zealand researchers gave questionnaires to professional athletes whom take part in various sports which involve, running, biking and swimming.
Nearly 94% of the professional athletes stated that they ate during training, 84% mentioned the consumption of sports drinks. Approximately 50% said that during training sessions they drank sports drinks or water by taking "little sips, often, from a bottle." Just few of them thought however, that the way they eat and drink during training could put them at risk for cavities. Upon further research, 10 out of 10 athletes who had oral exams were at high risk of developing cavities.
It's not just the sugar that increases the risk of cavities, as the bacteria that cause cavities feed off of carbohydrates, and release acid. Consequently, if a person often drinks or eats carbohydrate-rich foods, it gives the bacteria more chances to feed.
Despite the fact that sports drinks are less sweet than juices or sodas, they are also acidic, which leads to the erosion of the tooth and loss of enamel. The researchers suggest that it is important to be aware of the potential impact of acidic drinks on an athlete's teeth.
Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine
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