I've just been told by a dental specialist, that I have 'dental erosion' caused by long term use of energy drinks.
Has anyone else come across this problem? Apparently it's due to the acid content - some drinks are better than others What do you lot use on a Polaris Challenge?
PSP22, which is reckoned to be slightly less corrosive than others - but all energy drinks contain sugars (they don't work otherwise) that is converted by your saliva into acids that then wash around your teeth to maximum effect.
The only solution is to clean your teeth after a ride (and we are all going to do that aren't we?). I also read somewhere that washing your mouth out with a gulp of water after drinking an energy drink helps (but only possible if you have a second bottle with just water in it).
have a bit of sugarfree chewing gum every now and again- saliva neutralises and weakens the acid.
brushing your teeth after acid is not always a good plan cos the outer layer which is weakened by the sugar and acid gets scrubbed away apparently. better to eat a bit of bread and drink some water. Another option in a race which achieves the same effect as energy drinks is to use squeezies (powergel etc) and drink plain water- gives your teeth time to rest between sugar insults.
Squeezielover is correct, the advise I was given was a definate 'do not clean your teeth after a ride', your saliva naturaly neutralises the acid after a hour or two. The use of sugar free chewing gum helps. I think I'll give the powergel/water a try.