A study has found that 89% of kids between the ages of 12 and 14 drink sports drinks, and, from that group, 68% drink them from once a week to once per day. Sports drinks may be their favorite beverage, but it is hurting their oral health in a major way.
Most people drink sports drinks to rehydrate while exercising, but the better choice for this is fluoridated water. Water is not only good for your general health, but it is also good for your oral health. Sports drinks were created to replenish fluids, sugar, and electrolytes lost during exercise or physical activities. However, these drinks are filled with sugars and are acidic; a very bad combination for your teeth and gums.
Unfortunately for your oral health, with athlete endorsements and flashy ads, sports drinks are not going anywhere. On top of that, one-third of manufacturers who were surveyed for this study said that teenagers are their target market. This means we need to be extremely conscientious about how much of these drinks our teens are consuming.
In the UK, tooth decay is actually the main cause of hospital admissions among young children. Tooth decay in kids is a problem, but there are very easy ways to help your child grow up with good oral health.
The first thing to do is make sure your kids are brushing and flossing twice per day. The next thing would be to limit the number of sugary foods and drinks they consume. If your child has a sports drink with their lunch or when they play sports, you can start replacing those drinks with water.
Concerned about your oral health in the Memphis, TN area?
The health of your gums is important to us. The team at Periodontal Associates of Memphis are always welcoming new patients. Be sure to schedule an appointment today at our office in Memphis, TN!
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