10 Aug “Acid Attack” on the sporting field

“Acid Attack” Is your action on the sporting field affecting your dental health

Dr Patel of Putney Dental Surgery warns that habits such as snacking and grazing are putting your teeth at risk. Tooth decay and tooth erosion  is caused by how frequently we snack and how long you are exposed to food at any one time. Every time you eat, your teeth are exposed to the sugars in food, this is called an ‘acid attack’. The bacteria in your mouth (plaque) use these sugars to make acid and if teeth are exposed to this acid long enough holes develop -this is known as tooth decay. It is important to beware of hidden sugars in so called ‘Health Foods’! These include sports drinks, muesli bars and sports bars where seemingly healthy ingredients are bound together with sugar!

Dr Patel recommends reducing the frequency of snacking on foods and sipping drinks that contain sugar to minimize your risk of developing tooth decay.

Keeping hydrated during physical activity such as team sport or running or going to the gym is important to your performance.

You might think, “I don’t get dehydrated”, but next time you exercise, think; “Is my mouth dry? Do I have an acidic taste in my mouth? Am I sweating a lot?” If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you are probably already dehydrated and your performance is suffering for it.

To prevent the “acid attack” and keep hydrated Dr Patel recommends to drink tap water before, during, and after exercise. It has the added benefit of being good for your teeth, unlike sports drinks that bathe your teeth in harmful sugar or acids. The Australian Dental Association recommends tap water which contains fluoride that helps protect your teeth in the long term.

Dr Patel says “not all gym supplements are bad for your teeth. The real danger is in how frequently some of them are consumed, especially if they contain sugar or acids.”

Here are some tips from Dr Patel of Putney Dental Surgery to enjoy your sporting activities and look after your teeth

• Avoid swishing sports drinks around in your mouth during your work out when your mouth is dry and prone to harm from the “acid attack”
• Using a straw helps reduce damage from harmful beverages
• Use water to keep hydrated, preferably tap water.
• Reduce the frequency of snacking

Call us on 9809 7110  to schedule an  appointment at Putney Dental Surgery to detect any early damage and offer preventative advice.