It’s not surprising that children love sports drinks. When you consider their bright colors and fun flavors, it almost seems like they were designed specifically for kids. And even though professional athletes are the ones endorsing such drinks, it’s children who are listening. Fortunately, parents have the final say, and most pediatric dentists advise them to supply their little athletes with water. Here's why you should skip the sports drinks at your child’s next practice or game. 

Sports Drinks Are Loaded With Sugar

Sports drink manufacturers want consumers to focus on the vitamins and nutrients their beverages contain, but parents should be more concerned about the sugar. The average sports drink may have less sugar than soda, but the difference may be negligible.

And as pediatric dentists often warn parents, a diet high in sugar will not only hurt their children’s teeth but also their health in general. For example, consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain over time, regardless of age, and with obesity comes a whole host of problems. 

Sports Drinks Lack Essential Nutrients

While it is true that you lose more than just water when you sweat, the average American diet contains plenty of nutrients. Therefore, most young athletes do not need to supplement their diet with the electrolytes found in sports drinks. And despite the nutrients that these drinks do contain, they lack things like fiber, which is essential for keeping sugar from entering the bloodstream too quickly.

If you give your child a bottle of water and an orange after practice instead, it will still restore the balance of nutrients, like calcium and potassium. And, since oranges contain fiber, munching on a few slices of fruit instead of downing a sports drink on an empty stomach will prevent a spike in blood sugar and, subsequently, insulin levels. This simple act can improve your child’s health for decades to come because frequent spikes in blood sugar can increase the risk of everything from diabetes to heart disease. 

To learn more about protecting your children’s teeth, turn to Brandi Prather, DMD, PSC. Based in Somerset, KY, this pediatric dentist has been providing unparalleled dental care for more than a decade. She and her friendly team are committed to teaching both patients and parents about the importance of maintaining oral health, and they are proud to do so in a warm and welcoming environment. To learn more about the gentle family dentistry procedures they offer or to make a pediatric dentist appointment, call (606) 679-5437.