Sugary Drinks Hurt Kids’ Oral Health
The fact that consuming sugary drinks is bad for oral health is nothing new. However, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, parents and caregivers in Mexico are not getting this message, as their children have high rates of erosive tooth wear.
The fact that consuming sugary drinks is bad for oral health is nothing new. However, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, parents and caregivers in Mexico are not getting this message, as their children have high rates of erosive tooth wear.
Researchers asked Mexican teens about their consumption of sugary beverages, and then performed an exam that focused on identifying erosive tooth wear. More than 31% of teens presented with erosive tooth wear, with those who drink soda experiencing the highest prevalence of erosion.
The study demonstrates a clear association between consumption of sugary drinks and poor oral health, with implications reaching far beyond Mexico. Those lobbying for children’s oral health say this study should serve as a public health call-to-action to reduce consumption of soda and other sugary beverages.
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. March 2016;14(03):14–15.
