Sweet drinks also can eliminate vital minerals
By Sandra Jordan Of the St. Louis American
Discovering what sweetened beverages can do to the body may leave more than an aftertaste in the mouth of today’s health-conscious individuals. Drinking too much soda zaps important vitamins and minerals from the body, promotes tooth decay and contributes to major health problems.
“I am constantly reminding parents that’s a no-no and basically to get them to drink water,” Cornell Thomas, DDS, said. “The constant barrage of sugar drinks, whether it’s juice or Kool-Aid, causes them to have that sugar-tooth connection constantly.”
Thomas said that habit can cause obesity and tooth decay.
“You have kids with bad teeth and overweight and they get to be adults with bad teeth and overweight,” Thomas said.
“It traumatizes the child also because when they come to the office, you are repairing teeth or taking out teeth. They are in pain. Then they become afraid of the dentist rather than just getting them used to coming in, cleaning their teeth or putting fluoride on the teeth.”
Sugar and acid in soft drinks, juices and sports drinks can set up the perfect environment for tooth decay. Drinking too much of these beverages can contribute to other health problems, such as osteoporosis, kidney stones, and especially weight gain and obesity, which are prime risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in teens and adults.
Soft drinks also eliminate vitamins, minerals and fiber from the system. Less than 50 percent of adolescent girls consume enough calcium daily, which can lead to early development of osteoporosis. Girls who drink carbonated beverages are five times more likely to have bone fractures than those who don’t drink soda.
And for those who drink diet sodas, research by Purdue University provides new food for thought. A study recently published in the journal, Behavioral Neuroscience found that rats who were fed diets containing the artificial sweetener saccharin gained more weight than rats that were fed sugary food. Researchers say more study is needed, however the finding hints that artificial sweeteners may somehow alter metabolism. The rats may have a physiological attachment to the sweetener, causing them to overeat.
A study published in early 2008 also found that people who drink diet sodas were at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Just as sodas can factor into tooth decay, gum disease – an unwelcome accomplice of tooth decay – can make other serious health conditions worse.
The American Diabetes Association reports if you have gum disease, diabetes can make it worse. Although plaque is the main source of gum disease, diabetes can be a culprit. Diabetes may weaken your mouth’s germ-fighting powers. High blood sugar levels can help the gum disease get worse. At the same time, gum disease can make diabetes harder to control.
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss. Researchers have linked periodontitis with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Likewise, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babies.
Reduce the risk of gum disease by brushing your twice daily, flossing between each tooth every day and making regular visits to your dentist.
“You head is connected to the body,” Thomas said. “The dentist is part of the whole health care team and its important to get regular care.”
Box 1: How to reduce tooth decay
? Drink water; it hydrates the body and it is healthy.
? Drink soda, sports drinks or fruit juices in moderation – no more than 12-ounce serving per day, preferably with a meal.
? Drink soda all at once. Sipping soft drinks exposes teeth to longer sugar and acid attacks.
? Brush your teeth after a soft drink or rinse your mouth with water to dilute the sugar and acid.
Source: Missouri Dental Association
Box 2:
Signs of gum disease
? Bleeding gums when you brush or floss (even if it is painless).
? Red, swollen, or tender gums (gingivitis).
? Gums that have pulled away from teeth.
? Pus between the teeth and gums (when you press on the gums).
? Bad breath.
? Permanent teeth that are loose or moving away from each other.
? Changes in the way your teeth fit when you bite.
? Changes in the fit of partial dentures or bridges.
See your dentist if you have any of these symptoms.
Source: American Diabetes Association
Box 3: (IF NEEDED)
The Missouri Dental Association has a Stop the Pop campaign that urges consumers to read soda labels and discusses the effects of soda on oral health, obesity and other ailments. Find out more online at www.modental.org.