ST. LOUIS (KMOX) -  A local dentist is issuing a warning about those popular energy and sports drinks.

Dr. Jeffrey Dalin points to a new study showing that consumption of energy drinks has been shown to cause an alarming increase in damage to the enamel of teeth in young people.

“In a lot of these energy drinks there’s a lot of sugar in there, because that’s part of what gives you the energy,” Dalin tells KMOX Health Editor Fred Bodimer. “Energy drinks, sports drinks…people are thinking that just means health. And they are good in some ways but from the dentist’s point of view, you need to brush and clean them up afterwards because of the sugar content.”

Researchers have found signs of significant tooth damage after just five days of exposure to these type of drinks, with energy drinks posing the greatest threat.

Dr. Dalin says parents need to be good consumers and read labels carefully before letting their kids have these kinds of drinks.