Summer sports and activities often call for packing a lunch. Brighton family dentists Dr. Villani and Dr. Kondrat hope that you’ll opt for healthy, refreshing foods and water in lieu of pre-packaged junk food and sports drinks. Kids’ tooth enamel erosion is at an all-time high in our nation, mostly because of poor beverage choices. Enamel erosion is a permanent thinning of tooth enamel. Because enamel provides the protective barrier on teeth, when it thins, teeth are more prone to injury, decay, and sensitivity.
Sports & Energy Drinks Weaken Teeth
A study of 13 sports drinks found that acidity levels vary not only between brands, but also by flavor. The test involved exposing tooth enamel to sports drinks for 15 minutes, four times a day. The rest of the day, enamel was covered in artificial saliva. After five days, acid erosion was evident. Energy drinks caused 100% more acid erosion than other sports drinks.
Reports indicate that half of American teens consume sports drinks, and of these, over half drink sports beverages every day. And while most fruit juices have high sugar content and some acid, they are healthier and less harmful on teeth than sports drinks. The best beverage, of course, is water – and tap water fortified with fluoride is better for your dental health than bottled water.
Lunch with a Healthy Punch
For healthy brown-bag lunches, try these yummy, healthy foods:
- Water or green tea
- Crunchy veggies
- Cheeses
- Meats
- Fresh fruits
- Yogurt
Do you need a family dentist? Brighton dental group proudly serves patients from Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Brighton, and the 02135 area. Call us today at 617-562-5210 to reserve checkups for the smiles you love most!
Source: Medical News Today
