It’s great to see your kids being active; whether they’re into soccer, football, basketball, or gymnastics, you know the experience of being involved in sports is important and formative. Just like adults, young athletes, and kids in general will need to hydrate. According to the kids dental care specialists at the Anchorage, AK-based children’s dentist, Alaska Dentistry for Kids, popular sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade pose a threat to dental health. Many kids turn to these drinks thinking these are healthier than sodas. While the electrolytes they contain help with hydration, the fact of the matter is they are very unhealthy. 

How bad are sports drinks for teeth? What do they do? Let’s take a closer look:

Sugars Galore:

Sports drinks have the same sugar content as sodas, and these sugars can significantly contribute to tooth decay. What’s even worse is these sugars remain in the child's mouth after consumption, creating a perfect storm of dental damage for their teeth.

Acidity:

Worse than the sugar, though, is the acidity of sports drinks; every time you sip Gatorade, you’re looking at 20 or more minutes of a full-on attack on your enamel. A good kids dentist will tell you high acid content in the mouth over a prolonged period of time will literally eat away at the teeth.

What To Do About It:  

Limiting consumption of these drinks is, of course, the most effective way to mitigate the damage. However, if your kids decide to hydrate with sports drinks, make sure they swish their mouths with water afterward. Interestingly, the acidity of these drinks will temporarily soften enamel, so dentists advise you wait at least an hour after drinking to brush.

At the end of the day, it’s essential to emphasize to your kids the importance of good dental health, which is why the staff of Alaska Dentistry for Kids makes it a goal to educate and treat each young patient who steps into their office. To learn more about children’s dental health and general information about this practice, visit the website, or call (907) 274-2525.