Athletes need to take extra care when it comes to their oral health -- especially when it comes to protective gear, energy bars, and sports drinks! We talked about mouthguards in a recent post, but did you know that energy bars and sports drink also play a role in your oral health?
Consuming energy bars and gels is a fast way to get nutrients and protein into your body when you are on the go. However, these products are very sticky and contain sugar and acid that can harm your teeth -- prolonged use may lead to cavities. It is essential that you rinse your mouth very well with water after consuming these products and that you brush and floss your teeth as soon as possible.
Sports drinks provide fuel and hydration for athletes -- but they also bathe your teeth in sugar and acid which can harm the enamel on your teeth. Overtime your teeth may show signs of acid erosion and cavities if you consume a lot of sports drinks. Try to limit your intake, drink water when you aren't competing, and increase your use of fluoride. Prevention is the key to protecting your teeth!
