Three dentists at Thornley Park Dental in Denton, Manchester, were asked what one thing they would never do for their teeth health. Two of them gave the same answer: they would never drink energy drinks.
Energy Drinks: A Common Threat to Dental Health
Maisie, the first dental worker, said she would never drink an energy drink. When the interviewer remarked, "They're quite bad for you, aren't they?" Maisie replied, "They are." The second dentist also said that after brushing, she would spit and not rinse. The third dentist, Alan, echoed Maisie's sentiment: "One thing I'd never do now is drink energy drinks. 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 Especially Harmful
Energy drinks are highly acidic and packed with sugar, making them incredibly damaging to teeth. The combination strips away protective enamel, leading to irreversible erosion, severe tooth sensitivity, and a significantly higher 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.
Lead dental nurse and trainer at Northumbria, Paula Darkin, explained that any sugar from food and drink turns into acid and begins attacking the enamel. "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."
Additional Tips from Dentists
Beyond avoiding energy drinks, the second dentist advised that after brushing, one should spit out excess toothpaste but not rinse with water. Rinsing washes away the concentrated fluoride that helps protect teeth. The dentists also noted that even sugar-free fizzy drinks are still acidic and can cause tooth erosion.
