Dental Tips: Rethink Your Sugary Drink
How much sugar is actually in your drink?
Drinking beverages high in sugars and acids not only affect your oral health.
Aside from tooth decay and cavities, sugar-sweetened beverages can also result in other health risks such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
What are sugar-sweetened beverages?
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are any liquids that are sweetened with various forms of added sugars like:
- Brown sugar
- Corn sweetener
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Glucose
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Lactose
- Malt syrup
- Maltose
- Molasses
- Raw sugar
- Sucrose
Examples of sugar-sweetened beverages include, but are not limited to:
- Regular soda
- Fruit drinks
- Sports drinks
- Energy drinks
- Sweetened waters
- Coffee and tea beverages with added sugars
So, how much sugar is in your favourite thirst-quenchers?
Soft Drinks
Coca-Cola (355 ml can) – 39 grams
Mountain Dew (355 ml can) – 47 grams
Energy Drinks
Rockstar Energy Drink (473 ml can) – 62 grams
Red Bull Energy Drink (245 ml can) – 27 grams
Fountain Drinks
7-Eleven Coca-Cola Big Gulp – 91 grams
7-Eleven Coca-Cola Super Big Gulp – 146 grams
Juice Drinks
Golden Circle Tropical Fruit (591 ml bottle) – 70 grams
Snapple Lemon Iced Tea (473 ml bottle) – 46 grams
Daily Juice Orange (591 ml bottle) – 48 grams
Milk Drinks
Nesquik Chocolate Milk (473 ml bottle) – 58 grams
Vita Soy Milk (240 ml) – 18 grams
Alcoholic Drink
Mike’s Hard Lemonade (330 ml bottle) – 30 grams
How Tooth Damage Occurs
- Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth using sugar from foods and beverages to produce acids that dissolve and damage the teeth.
- Sugar-sweetened beverages have high levels of sugar and drinking; these can significantly contribute to tooth decay.
- Regular and ”diet” soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and fruit drinks also have high levels of acid that can cause tooth erosion.
- Tooth erosion occurs when acid penetrates the teeth to dissolve the outer surfaces of the tooth enamel.
- Regular enamel loss can lead to cavities and exposure of the inner layers of the tooth that may become extremely sensitive and painful.
- Preventing enamel loss is very important for the long-term health of your teeth.
- Acid attacks usually last for around 20 minutes each. Every time you sip a drink, the acid damage begins all over again.
Fight Tooth Decay and Erosion
Always remember to take care of your teeth, too!
Listed below are some ways you can lower your sugar consumption and keep harmful acids away from your teeth:
- Drink soda in moderation. Don’t consume more than one 12-ounce can per day.
- Use a straw to lessen sugar contact with your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth with water after drinking any soda or sports drinks to dissolve the sugar and acid.
- Chew sugar-free gum to increase your saliva production and cleanse your mouth.
- Drink plenty of water – we recommend at least eight glasses a day.
- Don’t drink soda right before bedtime.
Pay attention to what you drink. Pick healthy alternatives to sugary drinks. Choose to stay healthy and live well.
Port Macquarie Dental Centre Cares!
Port Macquarie Dental Centre is small inviting practice conveniently located at 38 Buller Street, Port Macquarie.
We are close to the town centre, but far enough away to avoid hustle, bustle, or overcrowding.
We also offer onsite car parking for your convenience. Also, for your convenience, we offer weekday hours until 6 pm.
At our Port Macquarie dental practice, the focus is on prevention of dental issues and creating a healthy mouth that supports dental and general health.
Same-Day Dental Emergency Appointment Available in Port Macquarie
Call us on (02) 6105 9853  or request your appointment online.
We are located at 38 Buller St in Port Macquarie.