female cyclists with dental problems?

[Eden]

I've head that sports drinks can be a problem. http://www.livestrong.com/article/26...ental-erosion/

[Thorn]

I've head that sports drinks can be a problem. http://www.livestrong.com/article/26...ental-erosion/

Yep...that's what I was going to say. Same thing about the enamel, but I was accused of a hard-candy habit. But

I switched from sports drink to shot-blocks and water so that I could reduce the amount of time I had sugar contact (I'm a constant sipper of fluids). Brushing after riding and on long rides, xylotol gum in the middle. It seems to have helped.

[jessmarimba]

Sports drinks, gels, gu, gummies, etc are awwwfuuulllll for your teeth. Especially if you're riding, the sugar just sticks (if I'm running and eating gummies, I spend miles just picking them out of my teeth...sorry for tmi)

I switched to nuun and try to eat real food if possible (I love little baked potato strips but they squish really easily if you fall on them...so gross). If I'm eating something really sugary on a ride I try to swig some water/nuun, swish it around, and spit it out after I eat.

[OakLeaf]

Hmmmm... anyone know whether sports drinks that are based on maltodextrin, with little to no simple sugar, are just as hard on your teeth??

You've got me worried now...

[Owlie]

At least according to what my dentist says, if the bacteria in your mouth can break it down and metabolize it, it's not a good thing to have in your mouth for long periods. It looks like they can break down maltodextrins.
Here's an abstract, garnered from a quick Google search:
http://www.jodjournal.com/article/S0...034-3/abstract

Guess it's time to add a quick teeth-brushing to the post-ride routine...

[KnottedYet]

My dentist (who is a serious cyclist) gave me the complete lecture about tooth enamel and sports drinks after he found out I was biking a lot.

I pretty much ignored him, because I don't drink THAT much electrolyte-carbo mix.

I love Clif Shot drink mix and Shot Blox. I use those and water and baggies of cheddar cheese and pecans when I ride. So far, my dentist hasn't berated me more about what I consume on the bike and my teeth.

(Supposedly the critters in fermented milk products are protective to the teeth, and I like cheese anyway. Maybe that's off-setting the Clif Shot drink mix. I dunno.)

[zoom-zoom]

Edit: your original question, why both you and your friend were asked? Eating disorders are very common in elite female atheletes. Especially ballet, gymnastics, figure skating, swimming, cycling.... He probably just assumed or was obligated to inquire. Not asking would have been irresponsible/unethical. OTOH, most people with eating disorders will not admit to it when asked.

Yep, it's called the Female Athlete Triad. It's good that doctors are aware of this and checking with their patients...just to be safe. I am a chubby runner, but hang out on a running site where this topic has come up several times--especially with HS athletes.

[WindingRoad]

Another thing to think about is your saliva content. My best friend has a terrible time with cavities and she brushes her teeth all the time (several times a day in fact). She was told by her dentist that she has especially acidic saliva and some people can have that cause tooth decay quicker. Apparently it is a viscosity issue too. If you are dehydrated the saliva is thicker and sticks on the teeth and causes damage even more. I guess make sure you are always staying hydrated too.