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Excess Soda Causing Tooth Decay
Children are drinking a lot more soda now than they used to. In 7 children aged 12 to 19 years old drank an average of 16 ounces of soda a day. In 6, children consumed 28 ounces, more than three cans a day. All this soda increases a childs risk of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity. Now dentists are concerned because it causes tooth decay as well.
William Chase, DDS, a dentist and spokesman for the Academy of General Dentistry, attributes an increase in soda consumption to soda machines in school. He says children are getting sodas before school, at lunch, between classes and then again when they go home for the day. Drinking soda all day means bathing your teeth in sugar constantly. The carbonation also breaks down enamel, Chase noted.
To protect teeth, Chase recommends these tips:
- Drink only small sized sodas and, when finished, drink some water. Either swallowing or spitting out the water will take the sugar off teeth.
- Do not brush your teeth after drinking soda. Since the acid in the sugar and the carbonation weaken tooth enamel, brushing will wear away the enamel even faster.
- Drink through a straw. There will be less direct contact of soda with teeth.
Providing kids with bottled water and low sugar fruit juices is another way parents can protect childrens health and teeth.
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Submitted by Sarah Segreti
Abstracted from the article Too Much Soda Taking Its Toll on Kids’ Teeth, by Jeanie Davis
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