Is Soda Doing Your Teen a Disservice?
By: Stephen Price DDS | Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 | General Dentistry
Tuesday, May 15th, 2018
We want our children to enjoy the benefits of having healthy teeth. That’s why we spend so much time during early childhood preparing and offering foods and drinks that support oral development. We teach our children how to brush and floss their teeth, and we take them to the dentist routinely so they don’t get cavities (hopefully). Of these habits, only one tends to continue once children reach their teen years.
While teens may be taken to the dentist regularly, they have taken over the responsibility of brushing and flossing. They are also more or less free to choose what they eat on a regular basis. According to a report from the Academy of General Dentistry, teens may benefit from more oversight as they transition into adulthood. This report has suggested that the fast-paced way of living that is common among most teens today is part of the reason why teens consume more soda and fast food than is good for them. Because the average teen may also be unaware of the impact soda can have on teeth and bones, a soda-drinking habit may coincide with less-than-adequate oral care. It’s a double-whammy for health and wellness.
Did You Know?
Many people are aware that soda can damage teeth because it contains sugar. There’s more. A can of soda that is sweetened with aspartame can do just as much harm as a can that includes a teaspoon of sugar. This can happen because soda also has phosphoric acid (or another type of acid). The primary reason we are encouraged to avoid sugar is that sugar ultimately turns to acid in the mouth. So, when we consume acidic soft drinks, we’re depositing straight acid onto our teeth. This is not good for anyone, but it can be even more severe for the 9- to 18-year-old.
During the teen years, the body is growing rapidly. In fact, it is at this time when bone growth is most active. For bones to develop, they need good calcium stores. The phosphoric acid in soda depletes these stores. Think soda can’t do that much harm? In one study, soda consumption was found to be a significant factor in bone fractures in teenage girls.
Where there is depleted calcium, there may also be weak teeth. Serve your teen well by serving less soda and more calcium-rich foods. Also, bring them on in to our Burke dental office for routine exams and cleanings. Schedule your visit at (703)-935-2879.
