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While sports and energy drinks help athletes to re-hydrate after a long workout, if consumed on a regular basis they can damage and cause irreversible changes to the enamel of your teeth. These sport drinks contain organic acids that can advance dental erosion by breaking down the calcium which is needed to strengthen teeth. Caution should be exercised when sipping popular sports beverages over long periods of time.  Altering or limiting the intake of soda and sports drinks and choosing water or milk instead, is advised to help preserve tooth enamel and ultimately protect teeth from decay.  

Snacking on sugar-rich foods is one of the worst things you can do to your teeth.  Bacteria in your mouth use sugar to produce acids which attack the enamel on you teeth.  If you avoid the foods which "trigger" the decay-producing acid  you eliminate one cause of tooth decay.  Don't forget, the longer the food adheres or sticks to your teeth, the longer they promote tooth decay.  Here is a list of the "right kinds" of snacks to promote better oral health:

      Dairy Group:  Milk, cheese, plain yogurt

      Fruit and Vegetable Group:  All fresh fruits and vegetables and their unsweetened juices

      Bread and Cereal Group:  Popcorn, soda crackers, toast, pretzels

      Meat and Fish Group:  Nuts, eggs, peanut butter, lunchmeats

      Other: Sugarless gum, pickles, water 

Here is a list of "eat less foods":

      Dairy Group:  Chocolate milk, ice cream, pudding

      Fruit and Vegetable Group:  Dried fruits (raisins), jams, jelly sweetened canned fruits

      Bread and Cereal Group:  Cookies, pies, cakes, mints, doughnuts

      Meat and Fish Group:  Sugar glazed meats, candy coated nuts

      Other:  Sugar gum, candy, jello, frostings, caramels, sugar sweetened beverages

American Dental Association

It is not only the sugar in soda that is a problem when talking about causes of cavities.  It is also the acids (used as flavoring agents) that are as bad.  That is why diet and regular soft drinks do equal damage, according to a  study from the University of Maryland Dental School.  What's more, light-colored sodas such as lemon-lime varieties are more destructive than colas.  Can't give up your habit?  Have your soda with a meal--eating changes the acid balance in your mouth--and polish off the can in one sitting, rather that sipping it and exposing your teeth throughout the day.

University of Maryland Dental School

1.  Limit sugary drinks and snacks between meals.  Remember, many sports and energy drinks have sugar too.  If you do snack, choose foods that are low in sugar and fat.

2.  If  you have sugary foods and drinks, have them with meals.  Saliva increases during meals and helps weaken acid and rinse food particles form the mouth.

3.  Chew  sugarless gum that has the ADA Seal.  Chewing gum for 20 minutes after meals has been shown to reduce tooth decay.

4.  Drink water.  Drinking tap water with fluoride can help prevent tooth decay.  And it can help wash away sugary drinks.

5.  See  you dentist regularly.

American Dental Association