According to the journal, “many popular bands of smoothies marketed to children contains even more quantity of the sugar than a can of soda or several candy bars combined.”

According to the Munchies:

• The classic green-tinted Original Super food from Odwalla contains 49 grams of sugar per bottle.
• The cold pressed Blueprint cranberry blend contains 51 grams of sugar in every bottle.
• The Bolthouse Farms Blue Goodness blend contains 116 grams of sugar in a 32-ounce bottle.

The items listed above exceed a can of coke that contains 44 grams of sugar. Always remember that the normal recommended daily allowance of sugar consumption for kids is just four (4) teaspoons or about 16 grams.
Fruit on its own contains natural sugars, while the fresh fruit contains some fibers that help to keep our body from assimilating all the sugar. Smoothies on its own have refined sugars. The bottled smoothie drinks add sugars in the form of honey or sweet syrups, while the advertisers of this product claim it to be “all natural.”

If your kids demand for smoothies, the best thing for you to do is make them at home. By minimizing the amount of fruit you use and adding some veggies will help you to control the amount of sugar content afterward.

San Diego Orthodontists Dr. Lindsay Pfeffer and Dr. Noel Moser, recognize that every patient is different, and we work hard to cater to the unique needs of each patient. We offer the latest in dental braces and Invisalign, plus we treat our patients like family and will go out of our way to make them smile from the inside out!  For a free consultation, call us today at 858-756-6878.

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Acid is the Culprit

Soft drinks contain acids. Acid pulls calcium out of the enamel, making the tooth soft to the touch. Acid dissolves tooth enamel, a process called “decalcification,” and can lead to cavities. Once enamel dissolves, it does not come back. The loss is permanent.

Acid + Sugar = Double Trouble!

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film made up of bacteria, food debris and saliva that constantly forms on your teeth. Plaque uses sugar and starches as food, and expels acid as a by-product, creating a stain on the surface of the tooth. If plaque is not removed regularly by brushing and flossing, the build-up can lead to decalcification, cavities, gum disease, and loss of the bone that holds teeth in place. Coupled with acid that is present in soft drinks, drinking liquids containing sugar doubles the risk to tooth enamel.

How Soft Drinks Affect Teeth with Braces

White marks like these on teeth are the result of decalcification, and are permanent. If you don’t remove the plaque that collects around brackets, between teeth and under the gums, decalcification can be evident within four months.

How Soft Drinks Affect Teeth While Wearing Aligners

Liquids seep into aligners when you take a drink, and the liquid is held against the teeth until the aligner is removed. If the liquid contains acid, the prolonged exposure accelerates damage to teeth. This can lead to extensive decay (pictured above, right) and the need for expensive restorations that may need to be repeated periodically over a lifetime.

Be Smart

• Avoid soft drinks, especially during orthodontic treatment
• Drink water and milk
• Brush and floss as recommended
• Fluoride strengthens teeth – use fluoride toothpaste and a fluoride rinse
• See your dentist at least every six months for a professional cleaning and check-up, or more often if recommended

If You Must Drink a Soft Drink

• Drink soft drinks through a straw
• Have soft drinks with a meal
• Brush right away after drinking a soft drink; if you can’t brush right away, at least rinse with water
• Drink the soft drink quickly; avoid sipping over a long period of time – each sip renews the acid attack on teeth

Adapted from a recent article by the American Association of Orthodontics

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