ADA Dental Health Week 2015 - Sin 4: Supplementing Vanity

Vanity can drive some people to use sport supplements like pre- and intra-work out drinks with little or no question of what is really in them, if they are deemed to achieve a lean and muscular physique.

The current wave of pre-workout and intra-workout drinks on the market make all types of claims but many of these products have not both been rigorously tested! Intra-workout supplements are often overlooked as a potential cause of tooth erosion, however the addition of acidic ingredients as well as the fact that people sip frequently on these over a training session makes them a potentially concerning product for your teeth. If you really are conscious of your health you need to be aware that these products contain acidic preservatives which will cause irreversible damage to your teeth if used frequently.

Don’t panic, not all gym supplements are bad for your teeth. The real danger is how frequently some of them are consumed, especially if they contain sugar or acids.

Your number one tip when buying sport supplements:

• Products that contain ingredients like citric acid (food numbers 330 or 331) or ascorbic acid (food number 300) are acidic! Preservatives that end in the letters ‘ate’ like sorbate can also be assumed to be acidic!

Extract from ADA's original article: "Sin 4: Supplementing Vanity"