If there were a battle between soda and healthy teeth, who do you think would win? While most people know that soda isn’t the healthiest drink choice out there, many do not fully understand how severely drinking it can affect their children’s teeth. 

Soda is full of sugar and other artificial sweeteners. When those mix with other bacteria in your child’s mouth, it forms an acid which launches an attack against their teeth, wearing away their teeth’s enamel. Tooth enamel is the hard outer surface layer of the teeth which serves to protect against tooth decay. Once that enamel goes away, it doesn’t come back. The loss of tooth enamel is a leading factor in cavity development and other oral health issues. Kids and teens are most susceptible to tooth decay because their tooth enamel is not fully developed.

How can you best protect your child’s teeth?

• Swap out sugary drinks with water when you can
• Use a straw when drinking sugary drinks, to prevent it from hitting the teeth
• In addition to reinforcing a twice-daily brushing and flossing routine, encourage brushing immediately after consuming sugar
• Schedule visits with a pediatric dentist twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning

If you follow the tips above, your child has a great fighting chance in the battle against soda!