Would You Let Your Kid Eat 10 Teaspoons of Sugar? That’s What Soda Contains

A 12-ounce can of Coke contains 39 grams of sugar, which is about 9⅓ teaspoons. Most soda pop is somewhere in that range, and that’s just in one can! While you probably can’t imagine giving your child a sugar bowl and letting them go to town, that’s pretty much what you’re doing when you let them drink too much soda.

The Devastating Reaction from Soda

Thirty-nine grams of sugar from just one beverage is a gourmet buffet for the bacteria in your child’s mouth. These critters feast on the residual sugar and then excrete plaque, which leads to cavities and bad news from your hometown family dentist.

In addition to extremely high sugar content, the soda’s acidity further damages teeth. This two-pronged combination causes a 20-minute chemical reaction that can be hard on a tooth’s enamel. Sip soda all day, and the results can be destructive—cavities, tooth pain, and, in extreme cases, tooth loss.

What to Drink Instead

While soda can be tasty and fun to have around, there are many healthier alternatives. Most dentists, including your local dental health providers, recommend that kids and adults drink water or milk with meals to satisfy their thirst. If your child is used to having a soda at mealtimes, they may fuss at first. However, when what’s healthy becomes the new normal, they’ll learn to appreciate the taste. They may even not miss soda after a while.

Recommendations from Your Cincinnati-Area Dental Professionals

At Beckham Square Family Dental, we suggest saving the soda for holidays or special occasions and limiting what your family consumes. Too much soda among children will lead to years of dental problems down the road. You’ll be glad about sticking with healthier drinks when you get a clean bill of health after your next dental check-up!