Dentists at Thornley Park Dental, a family practice in Denton, Manchester, were asked what one thing they would never do for their teeth health. Two of the three professionals independently named energy drinks as the item they avoid entirely.
Two Out of Three Dentists Say No to Energy Drinks
Dental worker Masie said she would never drink an energy drink. When the interviewer remarked, “They’re quite bad for you, aren’t they?” Masie simply confirmed, “they are.” The second worker gave a different answer: “After brushing my teeth, definitely spit and not rinse.” But the third dentist, Alan, echoed Masie’s warning. He explained: “One thing I’d never do now is drink energy drinks. So when I was a teenager I drank loads of energy drinks and I’ve got loads of damage to my teeth that I didn’t even know was happening until I qualified as a dentist and realised how much damage that causes to your teeth.”
Why Energy Drinks Are So Harmful
Energy drinks are extremely acidic and laden with sugar, making them exceptionally harmful to teeth. This combination erodes protective enamel, causing irreversible damage, severe tooth sensitivity, and a dramatically increased risk of cavities. According to the NHS, fizzy drinks are the largest single source of sugar consumption for children aged 11–18, providing an average of 29% of daily sugar intake.
Expert Confirmation: Double Trouble for Teeth
Lead dental nurse and trainer at Northumbria, Paula Darkin, explained that any sugar on teeth from food and drink transforms into acid and starts attacking the enamel. She said: “Over time, that acid eats away at the protective coating on your teeth and begins to cause cavities. Energy drinks are 'doubly' bad for teeth because these drinks have high levels of sugar and they are acidic. This means they can cause both dental decay and erosion of teeth.” She added: “Did you know sugar-free fizz is still bad for teeth? The fizz in sugar-free drinks is still acidic, and can cause tooth erosion.”
