Even if your children brush their teeth diligently, they can still harm their oral health with a poor diet. Many beverages that children drink are full of sugar and acids, which damage their teeth. Learn about these dental care threats and how you can minimize their effects.

Dental Care Guide to Unhealthy Drinks for Children

1. Soda

Soda is one of the drinks with the highest level of sugar. A 12-ounce can of soda can have as many as 10 teaspoons of sugar. Most soft drinks also have citric, carbonic, or phosphoric acid, which eats through the enamel on your child’s teeth. In combination with the sugar that feeds oral bacteria, soda makes dental care harder than it needs to be. Limit your child’s soda intake, and have them rinse their mouths out with water immediately after to flush out the acid and sugar.

2. Fruit Juice

Orange, grape, and apple are some common juices that parents mistakenly assume are healthy, but, like soda, they contain a lot of sugar and acid. Look for 100% vegetable juices without any added sugar instead, which have the added benefit of healthy nutrients.

3. Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are marketed to athletes to replenish lost electrolytes, but they have too much sugar and acid. A child would benefit more from plenty of water during and after exercise to rehydrate. There are healthier ways to restore electrolytes, such as with a snack of bananas or cheese.

Besides diet, visiting the pediatric dentist twice a year for a checkup is another important aspect of your child’s dental care routine. When it’s time for your child’s next exam, bring them to Pedodontic Associates. They’ve worked with the children of Oahu and Maui for more than 25 years and been recognized for their outstanding service by the Better Business Bureau® and Honolulu Magazine with the title of “Best Dentists in Hawaii 2011.” Schedule an appointment on their website or by calling their Honolulu location at (808) 735-1733, their Aiea location at (808) 487-7933, or their Kahului location at (808) 877-0066.