5 Questions Answered: Soft Drinks vs. Your Teeth and Body

Informative

It may be no surprise to you that soft drinks are the highest consumed beverage in America. In 2011, The Huffington Post reported that on average 44.7 gallons of soft drinks were consumed by each person per year.  What does this brightly labeled liquid sugar really do to our teeth and bodies and those of our children?

We’re going to give you some details in regards to this carbonated beverage in hopes that you’ll jump on the ever growing “water” band wagon that is taking back the lead in America!

How much sugar is in a soft drink?

The sugar content varies depending on what type of drink you buy.  An average 20 oz bottle of Cola contains 65g of sugar (about 15 teaspoons). In our office we have a display of different sodas, juices, and sports drinks. This is a good visual for our parents and patients to see how much sugar they would be putting in their bodies! You wouldn’t eat 15 packets of sugar would you?

Is it good for Adults?

No, plain and simple. Soda contains zero nutrients and is high in sugar and empty calories. There have been many studies done on the effects of drinking too much soda. It can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and decayed teeth. Sipping on a cola all day can result in the outer layer of your teeth weakening and putting you at a high risk for developing cavities.

Is it good for Kids?

Double no!

There are a number of reasons why children should not be consuming soft drinks.

  1. It suppresses the appetite so kids are less likely to eat nutritional food, therefore, not getting the recommended vitamins, calcium, and other important nutrients needed.
  2. Decay! The enamel (out layer of tooth) on a baby tooth is much thinner than an adult tooth. The acid in a soda along with the sugar are bad news for your children’s teeth as it eats away at this outer layer putting them at dangerous risk of developing decay.
  3. Drinking this amount of sugar each day for a child can lead to blood sugar disorders and obesity.
  4. The MDA (Michigan Dental Association) has a slogan “sip all day, get decay”. This slogan applies to all sugary drinks.

What should adults be drinking instead?

Water is always the best. Our bodies run and thrive on water!

What should kids be drinking instead?

Water and white milk are best. Water is always number one. It is very important to keep your children hydrated. It also helps wash away any food particles. White milk aids in development of strong teeth and bones, and is a great source of calcium, but is best consumed with a meal.

Call our office today if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment for your child!

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