Sports Drinks and Your Children’s Teeth

Can Sports Drinks Be Just as Harmful as Soda?

Children involved in sports often ask for or use sports drinks to hydrate while they practice or play in games. While parents may believe sports drinks are better for children than soda and other sugary drinks, it has been found that having too many of these drinks can be just as harmful to a child’s teeth as the alternatives. Dental professionals recommend parents limit the amount of sports drinks their children consume to help prevent cavities and keep their oral health intact.

Although sports drinks are great for replacing fluids, protein, carbohydrates, and electrolytes after a rigorous game or workout, they are also high in acid and sugar. Acids and sugars are known to increase a child’s risk of developing tooth decay and cavities. The combination of these two substances can even erode the enamel away from teeth, leaving them expose to damage. Surprisingly, sports drinks contain almost the same amount of acid and sugar as sodas, which we know cause oral issues.

Another surprising fact parents may not know is sugar does not rot teeth by itself – it is really the acid that causes tooth decay and cavities, especially when it is produced when sugar in drinks is mixed with certain bacteria that is naturally found in the mouth. Tooth decay most commonly occurs on areas of the tooth’s surface where plaque has built up and the acids found in sports drinks and sodas can have an eroding effect on the tooth’s surface, which causes painful cavities and decay.

While the damage that sports drinks can do to a child’s teeth is evident, it can sometimes be hard for parents to not allow the child to drink them. A great way to have the best of both worlds is, instead of buying large bottles of sports drinks for children, only allow them to have 12 to 16 ounce bottles depending on their age and size. Also, parents can limit when children drink these drinks, such as just at sports practices or during workouts or games and not throughout the entire day.

Parents can also encourage their children to choose alternatives to sports drinks in order to limit their consumption. Consider infusing “boring” water with fruit such as lemons, limes, oranges, cucumbers, mint, or strawberries or have children drink low-fat chocolate milk that offers the flavor children want with the amazing benefits of milk. Additionally, parents can encourage children to also drink water after their sports drinks to help wash some of the sugar away.

If your children have been consuming sports drinks for some time, it may be time to take them in for a checkup. A New Hampshire family discount dental plan like the Wellness Dental Plan save you as much as 20 percent all regular and emergency care visits. For more information or to sign up for coverage, click here.

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