The Truth About Sugary Drinks and How They Affect Your Child’s Teeth

Tooth decay is a problem that can affect a person of any age – even children. Do not think that because your child’s baby teeth are not permanent that you do not need to worry about them. The truth is that teaching your children to take care of their teeth today can have a lasting impact for the rest of their lives.

One of the biggest issues increasing tooth decay in children’s mouths is sugary drinks. Learn why and what you can do about it. Then reach out to California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment for your child’s dental appointment and cleaning.

The prevalence of sugar in children’s drinks

There are many drinks that are marketed to kids as though they are healthy when in fact they are chock full of sugar. The World Health Organization has provided guidelines for a toddler’s daily caloric intake to be no more than 10% from sugar. Since at around age three kids should have about 1100 calories, that comes out to about 5 ½ teaspoons. Does that seem like a lot? Most juices and sods have more than that in just one serving.

The science behind sugar and decay

If you are like many people then you may not quite understand how sugar decays teeth. On its own it is not an issue, but unfortunately it creates an acid that can be quite problematic. When your child has sugar in their mouth, bacteria uses it as its food source. This leads to acids being released, and these acids wear away at the tooth enamel. The essential protective layers of the teeth can be removed, which leads to cavities, sensitivity, and decay.

How to cut down on decay from sugar

Of course, the ideal answer would be that you would eliminate sugary substances from your child’s diet but this is not a realistic option for most people. Instead, try to find lower sugar drinks for your child. Get them used to drinking water as early as possible. Water not only hydrates us, but it helps wash away bacteria on the teeth and in the mouth. It can also promote the production of saliva, which reduces bacteria levels.

If your child is not interested in drinking water then try adding a few pieces of fruit to lightly flavor it. You can also try a reward method in which they get a reward for every glass of water they drink. Just make sure the reward is not related to sweet treats or you may be making the issue worse.

Make sure your child gets regular dental care

No matter what your child’s diet consists of, we highly recommend that you get them regular dental care as soon as they have teeth and are eating solid teeth. Reach out to California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment for a dental cleaning and exam.