A Questionnaire Study on Energy Drinks and their Effects on Oral Health among Youth

Abstract

Background: Energy drink (ED) consumption has increased substantially among youth, raising concerns about their acidic and sugary composition and its impact on oral health. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of young adults in Chennai regarding the oral-health effects of energy drinks. Methods: A descriptive, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 156 participants using a pre-validated Google Forms questionnaire. Demographic data, consumption patterns, awareness levels, and perceived oral-health effects were collected. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used for analysis. Results: Most respondents (52.56%) were aged 22–25 years, and 56.41% were female. While 73.72% acknowledged oral-health risks of EDs, more than 60% consumed them at least occasionally. Participants reported symptoms such as sensitivity (47.44%), dry mouth (39.74%), and enamel erosion (26.92%). Preventive awareness and professional guidance were limited. Conclusion: Despite moderate awareness, ED consumption remains high, indicating a knowledge–behavior gap and highlighting the need for targeted preventive education.

Introduction

Energy drinks are increasingly popular among youth, including adolescents, adults, and athletes, due to marketing claims of enhanced physical and cognitive performance. However, their high sugar, caffeine, and acidic content (pH 2.5–3.5) poses significant risks to oral health, including dental erosion, enamel demineralization, caries, and tooth sensitivity. Young people and athletes are particularly vulnerable due to developing teeth, frequent consumption, and reduced saliva flow during activity.

A descriptive survey of 156 youth in Chennai revealed that most participants were aware of the oral risks associated with energy drinks, particularly the role of sugar and acidity in enamel erosion and caries. Despite this awareness, consumption was common, though preventive practices like rinsing the mouth or consuming drinks with meals were inconsistent. Less than half had received professional advice on oral risks. Most participants expressed concern about long-term effects and supported public awareness campaigns, with reducing consumption frequency identified as the most effective preventive measure.

Conclusion

The findings of our study highlight that although a majority of young adults are aware that energy drinks can harm oral health, their consumption patterns remain high, reflecting a significant gap between knowledge and behavior. Self-reported symptoms such as sensitivity, dry mouth, and perceived enamel changes parallel global evidence linking energy drinks to dental erosion and caries. Comparisons with previous studies further confirm that limited awareness, appealing marketing, and lifestyle factors contribute to widespread misuse among youth. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted oral-health education, behavioral interventions, and public health initiatives to reduce the growing oral-health burden associated with frequent energy drink consumption.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Dharshini Priya K, Dr. Dharani Bai KB, Dr. Dheshika S, Dr. Navina Ravindran, Dr. Nimisha Mithradas, Dr. Manoj Raja. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.