Can You Drink Monster with Braces?

For some people, their day can revolve around energy drinks like Monster. For those with braces or Invisalign retainers, sipping these sugary beverages can have adverse effects on their smiles. 

Can You Drink Monster with Braces?

Energy drinks like Monster, Bang, and Red Bull have a high acidity content and contain lots of sugar. The extra jolt of energy you may feel after drinking a Monster comes from all the added sugar and caffeine. The acid in these drinks erodes the enamel on the tooth and the sugar creates an accumulation of bacterial plaque. This is known as decalcification. As you know, the increased presence of plaque can lead to gum disease, which can lead to oral and other health issues.

The sugar and acid from these drinks can especially build up around the brackets and wires of braces. If you have Invisalign, you may already be in the habit of taking out your aligners when eating and drinking. Just because you take out your aligners doesn’t mean you are safe from the ill effects of sugar on your teeth. The sugar from these drinks can still build up on your teeth and gums. Monster energy drinks have an average of 27 grams of sugar, which is over the total daily recommended amount of 25 grams. Not only is sugar harmful to your oral health, but it also has serious cardiovascular side effects and increases your chance of diseases like diabetes. Energy drinks have been shown to increase anxiety and can cause insomnia, heart palpitations, and dehydration.

Healthier Drink Habits

Sugar in all of its forms can be addictive. So while it’s recommended that patients cut down their intake, it can be difficult to stop cold turkey. If you do decide to enjoy an energy drink or another sugary beverage every now and then, it’s important to remember to rinse out your mouth or aligners and brush and floss your teeth. Using a straw when enjoying a sip can help avoid abrasion from the sugary acid on your teeth.

It is advised to limit your intake of sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade as well because of their similar high acidity sugar content. Oftentimes, people undergoing orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign adjust potentially harmful habits that serve them better even after the treatment is done. For a lot of people, orthodontic treatment is a perfectly good reason to kick these bad energy drink and sports drink habits.

Green tea, iced or hot, is a healthier alternative to get you out of a mid-day slump. Green tea is packed with loads of antioxidants and is a natural source of just enough caffeine. 

There are plenty of reasons to kick your energy drink habit, especially while wearing braces and Invisalign. Limiting your sugar intake in all forms can help maintain your healthy smile and improve your overall health.