While taking part in sport is obviously beneficial to health, dentists are warning people to avoid sports drinks and protein shakes which can contain significant amounts of sugar.

According to the Irish Dental Association (IDA), many people participating in sport risk significant tooth decay if they consume these drinks.

"Clearly there are many benefits to adopting healthy lifestyles. However consumers have to be clear about what they and their children are consuming. Sports drinks, protein shakes, energy drinks, energy bars and fruit juices can contain anything from five to a dozen teaspoons of sugar. We've even come across one drink which contained 14 teaspoons of sugar," explained IDA president, Dr Anne Twomey.

She pointed out that along with these drinks, protein or meal replacement bars can damage teeth due to their honey or syrup content, and even dried fruit contains a high concentration of sugar.

"Tooth decay is always caused by sugar. Often my patients are unaware they are consuming sugar as they are labelled with other words. There are in fact 57 different words used instead of sugar such as sucrose, lactose, glucose, fructose etc...," Dr Twomey noted.

She also noted that because people taking part in sports are constantly taking small sips of these sugary drinks, they are ‘effectively bathing their teeth in sugar and giving their mouths no time to recover'.

She pointed to a UK study of athletes at the London Olympics 2012, which found that overall, athletes had poorer dental health than their peers. Of the 302 athletes examined, 76% had gum disease and 55% had evidence of cavities.

Dr Twomey described it as ironic that many young athletes are in such good physical shape, but have such poor oral health.

"Our advice is clear. Avoid sports drinks on a regular basis. If taking protein shakes or bars, study the ingredients carefully and opt for those not containing sugar. Plain water is the ultimate thirst quencher while milk has also been found to be a very effective post-workout drink."

"For endurance sports, if sugary fluid replacement is necessary, try to drink through a straw. Brushing twice a day, using a mouthwash and going for regular dental check-ups might not transform you into an Olympian, but they will ensure you have good oral health" Dr Twomey added.

She made her comments at the recent IDA annual conference in Cork.