As a parent, you probably read labels carefully before handing your child a snack or drink, especially when packaging boasts about “healthy” ingredients. But a recent study found that a surprising 62% of drinks marketed toward children contain a surprising amount of added sugar, which can fuel tooth decay faster than you think! Understanding how common childhood cavities really are, and how drinks contribute to that risk, can help you make more informed choices for your child’s growing smile. Here’s more.
Cavities in Kids Are Surprisingly Common
Cavities are one of the most common health conditions among children, and they can begin affecting kids as soon as they have baby teeth. Once a cavity forms, it doesn’t go away on its own, and if it’s left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection, and even problems with a child’s permanent teeth down the road. While genetics and oral hygiene habits play a role, diet is one of the biggest and most controllable factors behind a child’s cavity risk.
How Sugary, “Kid-Friendly” Drinks Cause Cavities
Many drinks aimed at children, including flavored waters, juice drinks, sports drinks, and chocolate or other types of sweetened milks, have substantial amounts of added sugar despite their innocent, kid-friendly packaging.
Every time your child drinks something sugary, the bacteria naturally present in their mouth feed on that sugar and produce acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel, and repeated exposure throughout the day gives that acid more opportunities to weaken enamel and eventually create a cavity. Also keep in mind that drinks that are sipped slowly over time, like juice boxes or sports drinks, can be extremely problematic, simply because they coat the teeth in sugar for longer periods of time.
Choose Smile-Friendly Drinks for Your Child
The good news is that making small changes to what your child drinks can make a big difference in lowering their cavity risk. Water and plain milk remain the best beverage choices for growing smiles, while sugary drinks should be reserved for occasional treats, rather than something they drink daily. When your child does enjoy a sweeter drink, you can also be sure it’s paired with a meal or followed up with a glass of plain water to reduce the amount of time the sugary particles remain on the teeth.
The bottom line is, reading labels carefully and rethinking what counts as a “healthy” drink can go a long way toward protecting your child’s teeth from unnecessary cavities!
About the Practice
Our team here at Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln has been serving families in Worcester for several years, offering a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages. If your child is dealing with a damaged or decayed tooth, one of our many restorative treatments can help. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for your child, you can reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 506-8859.