Workout fuel puts you at risk.
The science:
For a new study, researchers delved into the mouths of Olympic and professional athletes. The results show that despite having better dental hygiene than the general population, elites have higher rates of tooth decay and gingivitis.
Expert insight:
Mid- and post-workout fuel may be to blame.
When you eat sugar, the bacteria in your mouth produces an acid that erodes your enamel, says study author Ian Needleman, Ph.D., professor of restorative dentistry at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London. Saliva is typically pretty good at washing the acids away—but not if you're ingesting gels, sports drinks, or energy bars during intense workouts, which dry out your mouth. Plus, if you're getting this fuel on the go, you likely aren't brushing your teeth directly afterward.
Sugar also increases inflammation everywhere in your body, which can make you more vulnerable to gum disease, Needleman says.
The bottom line:
Besides brushing and flossing regularly, there are two ways to reduce your risks, Needleman says. First, choose workout fuel sweetened with fruit; fructose is less damaging to teeth than sucrose and glucose are. Second, if you can’t brush right away, rinse with water immediately after eating something sugary.