Sports Drinks? Not Best Choice to Hydrate Kids During Summer [Updated for 2018]

John’s Creek, GA– With the start of school, intramural sports, and PE, it can be tempting to reach for a sweet, energizing sports beverage after a hard workout, right?  Wrong!

Summertime often means lots of sports and activities for kids. To keep their children properly hydrated, parents may turn to sports drinks. Even though sports drinks contain electrolytes to boost energy levels, they can be detrimental to a child’s oral health.

A study conducted by dental researchers of New York University yielded some pretty eye-opening results. Sports drinks can lead to hypersensitivity, staining and excessive wear of teeth.Dr. Nanna Ariaban, a pediatric dentist and recipient of America’s Top Pediatric Dentists in 2014, advises her young patients to avoid these sugary beverages as much as possible. Companies selling sports drinks rarely mention the high sugar content in their drinks that contribute to the energy boost that kids feel afterward. Check the nutritional facts on the back of any juice or energy drink before you give it to your kids.

Dr. Nanna explains that the long-term effects of tooth erosion may require extensive dental treatment to assure that the tooth and dentin are protected. Opt for water instead. It already has electrolytes and no sugar at all! Your children will thank you later when they’re at the dentist’s office cavity-free.

Aside from totally replacing your child’s sports drinks with water, Dr. Nanna provides some tips on how to avoid tooth erosion.

• Strengthen your teeth by using fluoride toothpaste.
• If your child consumes acidic foods or drinks, have them wait an hour to brush their teeth afterward
• Always use a soft toothbrush and use short, gentle strokes while doing so.

At Polkadot Pediatric Dentistry, we encourage healthy, yearlong oral care habits for our patients. Not only will limiting your child’s consumption of sports drinks benefit their teeth, but also their entire body.

Entrust your child’s pediatric dentistry care to one of the most renowned experts in her field. Our staff and services are always catered toward kids, leading to great satisfaction for parents. Dr. Nanna is a board-certified pediatric dentist in Alpharetta who prioritizes her patients’ well-being and dental health at Polkadot Pediatric Dentistry. She loves working with kids in the Alpharetta community and hopes to teach them about oral hygiene for healthy teeth.

Polkadot Pediatric Dentistry is a trusted provider of pediatric dentistry in the Roswell, Johns Creek and Alpharetta areas. Please contact our office for more information.

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