When many children are outside playing in the heat, they often turn to sports drinks to help keep themselves cool. There is nothing wrong with having a sports beverage every now and then. However, consuming too many of these sports beverages can lead to tooth decay. That is why experts recommend that parents monitor the number of sports beverages that their children are consuming. It is also important for parents to limit the number of sugary beverages that their children consume. Proteins, electrolytes and carbohydrates are lost during an intense exercise session. That is why sports beverages are a good choice after an intense workout because they can replace the proteins, electrolytes and proteins.
What Sports Drink Can Do To Your Teeth
However, these drinks are filled with sugar. Sports drinks are also acidic. Drinking too many sports beverages can lead to enamel erosion and cavities. Just like soda, sports and energy beverages have a lot of sugar and are highly acidic. There was a study done at Harvard School Of Public Health that compared the leading brand of cola, sports beverages and energy drinks. The study found that a can of the leading brand of cola had 12 grams of sugar. The leading energy drink had 42 grams of sugar per serving. The leading sports beverage had 21 grams of sugar.
It is important to note that sugar itself does not lead to tooth rotting. The damage occurs when the sugar and the mouth’s bacteria mix and create an acid. Decay occurs where plaque accumulates on the tooth. The high acid content can cause the entire tooth to erode. Acidic, sugary beverages are even more damaging when they are sipped frequently throughout the day. The reason they can be damaging is because they are in contact with the teeth for a long period of time.
Moderation is the Key
Fortunately, there are a number of things parents can do to ensure that their children’s teeth are not damaged by sports drinks. You can purchase a 12 to 16 ounce sports beverage instead of a 32 or 64 ounce bottle. You will also need to encourage your children to drink plenty of water throughout the day. They should drink just as much water as they do a sports beverage.
Drinking water will not only help children stay hydrated while they are playing outdoors, but it will also ensure that the residue from the sports drink does not remain on the teeth. Keep in mind that you can also lower the sugar content and acidity of the beverage by diluting it with water.
Many children do not like the taste of plain water. However, there are a ways you can make it more appealing and tasty. You can add a few slices of oranges, lemons or cucumbers to the water. You may also want to consider giving your child low-fat chocolate milk instead of sports beverages. Studies have shown that low-fat chocolate milk may be just as effective for helping people recover in between workout as a sports beverage.
It is important for you to take your child to the dentist regularly for checkups. If you have been looking for a dentist for your child, then you should consider giving TLC Dentistry a call. TLC dentistry is the leading source for dental care in Salinas, California.