How much sugar is in your drink?

Pop is no longer an occasional treat. It has become a daily habit for a growing number of people, especially kids, teens and young adults. A steady diet of soft drinks is the leading cause of tooth decay.

Following are a few tips on how to help reduce the possibility of decay:

• Drink soft drinks in moderation.
• Don't sip for extended periods of time. Ongoing sipping prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth.
• Use a straw to help keep the sugar away from your teeth.
• After drinking, swish your mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.
• Never drink soda or juice before bed because the liquid pools in your mouth, coating your tongue and teeth with sugar and acid.
• Drink water instead of soft drinks. It has no sugar, no acid and no calories.
• Get regular check-ups and cleanings to remove bacteria build-up (plaque) and floss, too.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth.

Pop contains more sugar than you think. Listed below are a few common drinks and the amount of sugar they contain:

Barq's Root Beer 11 tsp        

Minute Maid Orange Juice 9 tsp

Sprite10 tsp    

Mtn Dew 12 tsp     

  SoBe Energy Citrus 12 tsp    

Minute Maid Lemonade 10 tsp  

Gatorade 5tsp

Coca-Cola Classic 10 tsp

 

The next time you go to take a drink, check the label; you may be surprised. If you have any further questions, please contact any one of our Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics team members.