A recent article by the Telegraph Newspaper claimed that dental problems are the third most common reason for children to be admitted to hospital. Unfortunately, this doesn’t surprise us here at SR Nutrition.
The next time you are in a supermarket take a good look at the drinks isle. There are so many different options to choose from, and a lot of which are aimed at young children. The wide variety of soft and sugary drinks on offer has stimulated the public’s taste buds and resulted in many considering water as dull and tasteless in comparison.
However, as stated by the article from the telegraph, our children’s preference for these drinks is not without consequence. The majority of these drinks, whether sugar-free, diet or even fresh juices and smoothies, can actually destroy children’s tooth enamel.
It has been known for many years that a frequent intake of sugary foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay. However, many of the sugar-free drinks available are also very acidic and acid can result in the erosion of tooth enamel. Even fruit juice, which contains beneficial vitamins and minerals, is acidic and contains natural sugar, both of which can damage the teeth.
The truth of the matter is that milk and water are the only tooth friendly drinks and it is best to offer these regularly throughout the day and offer other soft, fizzy or juice drinks only as occasional treats. Additionally, try and leave it as long as possible before you start offering your infant drinks other than milk and water.
For more information on how to look after your little one’s teeth take a peek at our latest article on Mindful Mum’s website: 5 food tips for healthy teeth !
For even more information, or if you are concerned about your child’s teeth, then it is important to book an appointment with the dentist. Regular check ups are essential.
See here for the Telegraph’s article on children’s drinks: