Sports drinks are now seen as an indispensable part of playing sport and exercising. Unfortunately, these are high in sugars and acids that over time can cause tooth erosion and decay. You don’t have to avoid them all together, but understand how to minimise the risks.

Sports drinks have been designed to help elite athletes’ bodies to recover from intense athletic activities and they’re usually administered in carefully-controlled circumstances. In recent times we have seen a growing trend of people using performance supplements for their regular sporting and exercise requirements, and worryingly, this can be at the expense of their water intake and dental health.

Use these tips to help keep the sugar intake without sacrificing your oral health:

• Keep fresh water in an alternate bottle to your sports drinks.
• Rinse your mouth with water consuming sports drinks.
• Brushing immediately with a dry and sugary mouth can harm your teeth. Wait a while before you brush after consuming a sports drink.
• Use a bottle with a straw. This limits your sports drink’s contact with your teeth.

However, like a good many things in life, some things are best consumed in moderation.