The sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 is set to be banned in England from April 2027, following growing concern about their impact on young people’s health, wellbeing and education. The ban will apply to drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre and cover sales in shops, restaurants, cafés, vending machines and online. Lower-caffeine soft drinks, tea and coffee will not be included.
While much of the discussion has focused on caffeine, sleep and concentration, energy drinks can also pose a risk to children’s oral health. Dr Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, explains how the sugar, acidity and caffeine found in energy drinks can affect teeth and shares practical advice to help families protect their smiles.
Why are energy drinks bad for teeth?
Many energy drinks contain high levels of sugar. When bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar, they produce acids that attack the teeth. Over time, repeated acid attacks can contribute to cavities and tooth decay.
However, the dental risks are not limited to drinks containing sugar. Sugar-free energy drinks can also be highly acidic, meaning they may still damage the enamel protecting the teeth.
Nyree commented: “Although they’re growing in popularity, fizzy energy drinks can be detrimental to your oral health. Most energy drinks contain high levels of sugar, which can cause cavities and tooth decay.
Most people are aware of the links between sugary drinks and tooth decay, but few realise that sugar-free fizzy drinks come with their own dental risks too.
In any food or drink it’s not just sugar content people need to be aware of; they also need to watch out for acidity levels too.”
Energy drinks and enamel erosion
Energy drinks often contain ingredients such as citric acid and phosphoric acid. These acids can gradually wear away tooth enamel, the hard outer layer that protects the softer and more sensitive parts of the tooth.
Although enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it cannot grow back once it has been lost. This means the damage caused by tooth erosion is permanent.
Nyree commented: “Food and drinks with high acidity increase the chances of tooth erosion, stripping away tooth enamel and exposing the soft and sensitive inside of the tooth. Tooth erosion leads to increased sensitivity, discolouration, and weakness which can result in teeth being more prone to cracks and chips. And it can’t be reversed – once a tooth loses its enamel it’s gone forever.”
Children and teenagers who sip an energy drink over a long period may repeatedly expose their teeth to acid. This gives the mouth less time to neutralise the acidity between drinks and can increase the risk of damage.
Having an acidic drink first thing in the morning or between meals may also mean there is less food and saliva available to help reduce its effect on the teeth.
How can caffeine affect oral health?
Energy drinks can contain high levels of caffeine, which may affect oral health in several ways. Saliva helps to wash away food particles, neutralise acids and protect the teeth. When the mouth becomes dry, these natural defences may be reduced.
Nyree commented: “Because energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, you may also experience a dry mouth – this is because saliva naturally helps to neutralise acids and protect your teeth, but caffeine can impact your saliva production. Over time, this could cause cavities and other oral health issues.”
Caffeine may also trigger or worsen teeth grinding for some people. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can wear down enamel, contribute to jaw discomfort and place additional pressure on the teeth. When enamel has already been weakened by acidic drinks, this may make teeth more vulnerable to damage.
Nyree commented: “Similarly, if you experience tooth grinding, you may find that caffeine triggers it, and this could cause tooth damage. One of the biggest culprits in all fizzy energy drinks – regardless of their sugar content – is phosphoric acid and citric acids (also known as citrates). These bond with calcium and eat away at tooth enamel.”
Why are energy drinks being banned for under-16s?
The government consulted on restricting the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks between September and November 2025. It has now confirmed that it will introduce legislation to prevent them being sold to children under 16 in England, subject to the usual parliamentary process.
The government says evidence suggests an association between high-caffeine energy drinks and negative outcomes relating to children’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and education.
Many major retailers already operate voluntary age restrictions, but the new rules will create a consistent legal requirement across retailers, including smaller shops, online sellers and vending machines.
From an oral health perspective, reducing children’s access to these drinks may also help limit their exposure to high levels of sugar and acidity.
How can you protect your teeth from fizzy drinks?
Children should be encouraged to choose water or milk rather than energy drinks. Adults and older teenagers who occasionally consume a fizzy or energy drink can also take steps to reduce its effect on their teeth.
Nyree commented: “If you can’t resist an occasional energy drink, have it with a meal and drink it through a straw to limit its contact with teeth. It’s also worth rinsing your mouth out with water or milk afterwards as calcium-rich food and drink can help neutralise acids, as well as chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva production.”
Supporting healthier smiles
While restricting access to energy drinks is an important step, helping young people understand the effect these drinks can have on their bodies and their teeth can support them to make healthier choices as they become more independent.
Regular dental examinations give your dental team an opportunity to look for early signs of tooth decay, enamel erosion and sensitivity and provide advice based on your child’s needs.
If you are concerned about your or your child’s dental health, contact your local mydentist practice for further advice.
If you're new to mydentist or looking for a practice, find your local mydentist today. You can also explore our full range of treatments and services online.
The sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 is set to be banned in England from April 2027, following growing concern about their impact on young people’s health, wellbeing and education.
The ban will apply to drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre and cover sales in shops, restaurants, cafés, vending machines and online. Lower-caffeine soft drinks, tea and coffee will not be included.
While much of the discussion has focused on caffeine, sleep and concentration, energy drinks can also pose a risk to children’s oral health. Dr Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, explains how the sugar, acidity and caffeine found in energy drinks can affect teeth and shares practical advice to help families protect their smiles.
Why are energy drinks bad for teeth?
Many energy drinks contain high levels of sugar. When bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar, they produce acids that attack the teeth. Over time, repeated acid attacks can contribute to cavities and tooth decay.
However, the dental risks are not limited to drinks containing sugar. Sugar-free energy drinks can also be highly acidic, meaning they may still damage the enamel protecting the teeth.
Nyree commented: “Although they’re growing in popularity, fizzy energy drinks can be detrimental to your oral health. Most energy drinks contain high levels of sugar, which can cause cavities and tooth decay.
Most people are aware of the links between sugary drinks and tooth decay, but few realise that sugar-free fizzy drinks come with their own dental risks too.
In any food or drink it’s not just sugar content people need to be aware of; they also need to watch out for acidity levels too.”
Energy drinks and enamel erosion
Energy drinks often contain ingredients such as citric acid and phosphoric acid. These acids can gradually wear away tooth enamel, the hard outer layer that protects the softer and more sensitive parts of the tooth.
Although enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it cannot grow back once it has been lost. This means the damage caused by tooth erosion is permanent.
Nyree commented: “Food and drinks with high acidity increase the chances of tooth erosion, stripping away tooth enamel and exposing the soft and sensitive inside of the tooth. Tooth erosion leads to increased sensitivity, discolouration, and weakness which can result in teeth being more prone to cracks and chips. And it can’t be reversed – once a tooth loses its enamel it’s gone forever.”
Children and teenagers who sip an energy drink over a long period may repeatedly expose their teeth to acid. This gives the mouth less time to neutralise the acidity between drinks and can increase the risk of damage.
Having an acidic drink first thing in the morning or between meals may also mean there is less food and saliva available to help reduce its effect on the teeth.
How can caffeine affect oral health?
Energy drinks can contain high levels of caffeine, which may affect oral health in several ways. Saliva helps to wash away food particles, neutralise acids and protect the teeth. When the mouth becomes dry, these natural defences may be reduced.
Nyree commented: “Because energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, you may also experience a dry mouth – this is because saliva naturally helps to neutralise acids and protect your teeth, but caffeine can impact your saliva production. Over time, this could cause cavities and other oral health issues.”
Caffeine may also trigger or worsen teeth grinding for some people. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can wear down enamel, contribute to jaw discomfort and place additional pressure on the teeth. When enamel has already been weakened by acidic drinks, this may make teeth more vulnerable to damage.
Nyree commented: “Similarly, if you experience tooth grinding, you may find that caffeine triggers it, and this could cause tooth damage. One of the biggest culprits in all fizzy energy drinks – regardless of their sugar content – is phosphoric acid and citric acids (also known as citrates). These bond with calcium and eat away at tooth enamel.”
Why are energy drinks being banned for under-16s?
The government consulted on restricting the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks between September and November 2025. It has now confirmed that it will introduce legislation to prevent them being sold to children under 16 in England, subject to the usual parliamentary process.
The UK government reports evidence suggests an association between high-caffeine energy drinks and negative outcomes relating to children’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and education.
Many major retailers already operate voluntary age restrictions, but the new rules will create a consistent legal requirement across retailers, including smaller shops, online sellers and vending machines.
From an oral health perspective, reducing children’s access to these drinks may also help limit their exposure to high levels of sugar and acidity.
How can you protect your teeth from fizzy drinks?
Children should be encouraged to choose water or milk rather than energy drinks. Adults and older teenagers who occasionally consume a fizzy or energy drink can also take steps to reduce its effect on their teeth.
Nyree commented: “If you can’t resist an occasional energy drink, have it with a meal and drink it through a straw to limit its contact with teeth. It’s also worth rinsing your mouth out with water or milk afterwards as calcium-rich food and drink can help neutralise acids, as well as chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva production.”
Supporting healthier smiles
While restricting access to energy drinks is an important step, helping young people understand the effect these drinks can have on their bodies and their teeth can support them to make healthier choices as they become more independent.
Regular dental examinations give your dental team an opportunity to look for early signs of tooth decay, enamel erosion and sensitivity and provide advice based on your child’s needs.
If you are concerned about your or your child’s dental health, contact your local mydentist practice for further advice.
If you're new to mydentist or looking for a practice, find your local mydentist today. You can also explore our full range of treatments and services online.