More Teens Drink Sports Drinks

At Lumiere Dental Tingalpa pty ltd, we are finding the harmful effects of sports and energy drinks are taking their toll on Teens Teeth.  We see teens and young adults from all suburbs of Mt Gravatt, Tingalpa, Wynnum, Manly, Carindale, Carina and all the way to Cleveland Queensland.  There is one common theme, Teens are drinking Sports drinks now more than ever.

With life spans increasing, with the introduction of certain foods and drinks we are causing our teeth harm that will impede on our ability to keep our teeth for life, and our teens will be at a disadvantage in adult hood.

A Harvard study, found that while young people drink less sugary soft drinks, they drink more sports drinks.

Sports drinks often contain the same amount of sugar as soft drinks and contain electrolytes, flavours and carbohydrates.

These days, sports drinks are seen by many people as an indispensable part of playing sport and exercising.  They are one of the first things they grab as they are heading out the door to the gym or sports field.  The thinking is, if celebrities and sports athletes at the top of their game consume them, then they must be a means of improving your sporting or workout game.

That is not quite how it works.

They are designed to refresh athletes after intense workouts.  They are not intended for the average athlete, water works best in these situations.  They do not do much to improve your performance, hydration or overall health, despite what big companies may imply in their advertisements.

The low down, sports and energy drinks are terrible for your teeth, sports drinks are full of sugars and acids that over time cause tooth erosion and decay. Our life spans are increasing, but with the introduction of certain foods and drinks we are causing our teeth harm that will impede on our ability to keep our teeth for life.

Another study found, the number of teens who drink sports drinks increases dramatically among teenagers watching two or more hours of television ( or general screen time ) a day.

Many teenagers these days have their own money and can buy their own drinks. While the decline of soft drinks in some groups may be considered positive, it is being replaced by sports drinks containing the same amount of sugar and other ingredients.

At home – what you an do to help your teen avoid sports drinks

One thing is obvious, making your teenager aware of the contents of sports drinks, its harmful effect and the fact that is actually does not make a difference in their sporting performance is paramount.

Some solutions are below – to help your teen avoid sports drinks. Dr Paul Sideris is a parent to a teenager and young adult and fully undertands the difficulties in influencing our teens to make better choices.

Perhaps discussing during meal times – in a way that is non-confrontational would help and encouraging your family to drink water frequently so that they can get ‘a taste for water’.  Hopefully, this way your teen will choose to fill up their bottle with water rather than buy a sports drink.  Let them know how much money they could save in a month if they don’t spend their pocket money on sports drink.  They could buy sports apparel instead!

When making your preventative dental checkup and scale and clean appointment at Lumiere Dental Tingalpa pty ltd, let us know you are concerned your teen or child is drinking too much sports drinks and our oral health therapist ( Eloise or Igor ) can use an evidence based argument to talk to your teen!

Using all techniques above rather than just one, will increase your chances of succcess.  Remember, it starts at home.