Sweet drinks are one of people’s favorite treats.
The truth is that they are unhealthy, especially for our teeth and smile.
We all have harmful bacteria in our mouths that feed on the sugar we consume. The bacteria get energy from sugar and produce lactic acid, which damages tooth enamel. This leads to caries and erosion.
Most of the drinks we drink every day contain a lot of sugar, even those that may be labeled “healthy” or “all natural”.
If you think drinking juice keeps you safe, you’re very wrong.
1 glass of apple juice contains the same amount of sugar as 1 can of soda.
According to the American Dental Association, sugar should not exceed 10% of daily calories. For women, that’s 10-15 teaspoons a day, and for men 12.5-18.75 teaspoons a day. For many people, 1 glass of apple juice already reaches the daily limit.
Cutting down on sugary drinks and replacing them with healthy ones is a very good idea.
Here is a list of sugar-loaded drinks and better choices.
Lots of sugar
Better choice
Soda
Water
Energy drink
Unsweetened tea
Chocolate milk
Milk
Smoothie
Sparkling water
Fruit punch or juices
The drinks in the better choice column contain very little sugar or none at all. This means they don’t give bacteria a chance to feed and produce acid. Water may also contain fluoride, which is good for the hard tissues of the teeth, and the calcium in milk also helps keep teeth healthy. You can also try soy or rice milk with added calcium.
If you feel you can’t give up your sweet coffee, tea or juice in the morning, there’s a solution for that too:
- Drink it, don’t sip it. Sipping gives bacteria more time to feed and produce acid. Drink quickly, all at once. Only let children drink juice at mealtimes, and fill sippy cups with water only.
- Fluoride is your friend. If your tap water is fluoridated, drink it for healthier teeth. Fluoride protects teeth from caries.
- Brush and floss. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Help children under 8 clean their teeth thoroughly. Also try to visit the dentist regularly.
Knowing which drinks harm your teeth is already a good start. Set goals for the whole family and try to achieve them.
Good habits are formed in childhood, so help your children make healthy choices. Be a good example, and you’ll all have beautiful, healthy smiles.
