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Energy drinks are easy to find in supermarkets, petrol stations, tuck shops, and spaza shops. Their bright cans and bold promises of “energy”, “focus”, and “performance” can make them appear harmless. Teenagers may drink them before rugby, football, netball, athletics, or gym training, or use them to stay awake while studying for exams.

However, energy drinks can be particularly damaging to young teeth. The problem is not only caffeine or sugar but also their high acid content, which can gradually wear away enamel, including in drinks labelled “sugar-free” or “zero sugar”.

Sugar and Acid Attack Teeth Differently

Most energy drinks are sugary and acidic, exposing teeth to two types of damage. Plaque bacteria turn the sugar into acid, which can eventually cause cavities, while the acids already in the drink directly wear away the enamel. This process is called dental erosion. A regular energy drink can therefore contribute to tooth decay and erosion at the same time.

Why Enamel Damage Is Permanent

Enamel is the hard outer covering that protects the sensitive inner parts of a tooth. It cannot grow back once it has been significantly worn away.

Early erosion may not cause pain, so teenagers and parents may not realise that damage is developing. As the enamel becomes thinner, the teeth may:

• Become sensitive to cold water, hot food, or sweet treats.
• Look more yellow as the dentine beneath the enamel becomes visible.
• Develop smooth, shiny, or flattened surfaces.
• Become thin or transparent around the edges.
• Chip or crack more easily.
• Develop cavities.

A dentist may be able to reduce sensitivity and protect weakened teeth. More advanced damage could require fillings, bonding, crowns, or other restorative treatment.

Sipping Throughout the Day Increases the Risk

A teenager who slowly sips an energy drink while studying, gaming, or travelling exposes their teeth to acid for much longer than someone who drinks it with a meal.

Saliva helps neutralise acid and returns minerals to the enamel. However, the mouth needs time to recover. Every new sip restarts the acid attack. Drinking several cans during the day may leave little time for this recovery to happen.

Large cans can be especially misleading. A label may show the sugar or caffeine in one serving, while the container holds far more than just a single serving. Teenagers should check the serving size, as well as the figures on the label.

Hot Weather and Sport Can Make Matters Worse

Energy drinks are not sports drinks and should not be used for everyday hydration. Water is the best choice for most school sports, gym sessions, and ordinary exercise.

During rugby, football, netball, athletics, or padel, for example, dehydration and heavy mouth breathing can reduce saliva, leaving teeth less protected against acid. Swishing or holding the drink in the mouth increases the damage by keeping it against the enamel for longer.

Caffeine can also disturb sleep, leaving teenagers tired the next day and more likely to reach for another can. This can quickly turn an occasional drink into a daily habit.

Sugar-Free Does Not Mean Safe for Teeth

A sugar-free energy drink may reduce the risk of sugar-related cavities, but it can still be acidic enough to erode enamel. Words such as “zero”, “low calorie”, “electrolytes”, or “added vitamins” do not mean that a drink is tooth-friendly.

Parents should also be careful not to confuse energy drinks with ordinary hydration products. Check the label for caffeine, guarana, and other stimulants.

Protecting Teenage Teeth

Water should be the main everyday drink. If a teenager does have an energy drink, encourage them to have it occasionally with a meal, rather than sipping it for several hours. Afterwards, they should rinse their mouth with plain water. They should not brush immediately because acid temporarily softens the enamel. Waiting about an hour before brushing gently with fluoride toothpaste gives saliva time to neutralise the acid. Brushing twice a day, limiting sugary drinks between meals, and having regular dental check-ups can help prevent permanent damage.

Affinity Dental can help members access preventative dental care, oral examinations, and appropriate treatment to identify and manage tooth decay or enamel erosion before the damage becomes more serious.