Pop Consumption

How much sugar do you drink in a day?  Pop is one of the most popular drinks.  It is consumed more than water, milk or coffee.  A can of pop has about 11 teaspoons of sugar.  Regular consumption of pop can cause problems with a person’s teeth because of the sugar and acids.  Tooth decay occurs when foods with sugar/starches are frequently left on teeth.  Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids.  These acids can destroy the tooth enamel resulting in decay.  Each sip of a sugary drink exposes teeth to 20 minutes of danger.  This is alarming considering the number of people who sip sugary beverages like pop, sports drinks, fruit drinks or energy drinks throughout the day.  They may not be aware that their teeth are being exposed to a constant acid attack.

Decide whether your drink is the best choice by reading nutrition labels.

Look for these hidden sugars:

To reduce tooth decay:

• Drink less pop and more water, milk and 100% fruit juice.

• Don’t sip on pop.

• Use a straw to keep pop away from teeth.

• Rinse with water after having something sweet.

• Brush at least twice a day.

• Eat nutritious, balanced meals and limit snacking.

• Visit the dentist regularly.