The Role of Sports Drinks in Demineralization

Demineralization occurs when mineral ions are compromised and removed from dental enamel. The process progresses due to low pH in the saliva and when the oral environment is deprived of minerals in relation to the tooth’s overall mineral content. The hydroxyapatite latticework is subsequently softened by acids that are produced by the cellular action of plaque bacteria in the presence of dietary carbohydrates and sugars. Demineralization of dental enamel is reversible, provided that the acidogenic properties of plaque biofilm are neutralized. The buffering capability of saliva plays a critical role in helping to restore a neutral pH in the oral cavity and at the tooth surface. Remineralization of dental enamel occurs when dietary carbohydrates are removed and the pH of the plaque biofilm is raised to approximately 7.0. When the pH returns to a neutral point, the demineralization process is halted and the remineralization process begins to occur at the tooth surface. The process enables minerals to be deposited back into the areas of compromised enamel crystallites.