How Much Sugar is in Your Favorite Drink?
We all know that soda is bad for your health, but it's also bad for your teeth. But have you ever considered what damage your other favorite drinks may be causing?
The Sugar Content in Popular Drinks
Soda isn't the only sugary drink that adults and children should avoid to prevent tooth decay. Here are some of the most popular drinks being consumed today, along with their startling sugar content levels:
- Cola: A 20-ounce bottle contains 65 to 70 grams of sugar.
- Red Bull: One 16-ounce can contains 52 grams of sugar
- 100% Apple Juice: One 15-ounce bottle contains about 49 grams of sugar
- Energy Drinks: Drink 16 ounces and you'll consume about 54 grams of sugar
- Arizona Tea: A 23-ounce can contains 51 grams of sugar
- Gatorade/Powerade: You'll find 56 grams of sugar per 32-ounce bottle
- Skim Milk: An 8-ounce glass contains 11 grams of sugar
- Vanilla Soy and Almond Milk: This sugar content is low, with just 1 gram of sugar per ounce consumed
Why Sugary Drinks Are Bad for Your Teeth
Soda isn't the only decay-inducing drink being consumed these days. As you can see by the sugar levels listed above, almost any sugary drink can put you at risk.
Although sugar itself doesn't rot your teeth (no matter what your mother may have told you), it feeds bacteria growth in your mouth, which produces acids which do eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Any food or drink that contains a high level of sugar (either natural sugar or added sugars), can increase the chance of developing cavities.
Decreasing Your Cavity Risk
Is it necessary to stop drinking all sugary drinks to safeguard your mouth against cavities? Not necessarily. There are some precautions you can take:
- Avoid sugary drinks right before going to bed. Otherwise, that sugar will lay in your mouth all night wreaking havoc on your sensitive tooth enamel.
- Rinse your mouth with clear water after drinking sugary substances.
- Avoid sipping on sugary drinks all day long. This allows the sugar to settle in between your teeth. Instead, drink your fill in a single sitting.
- Brush and floss thoroughly twice daily and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.
- See your dentist regularly.
If you are concerned that you may be at risk of developing cavities as a result of drinking too many sweetened drinks, contact the experts at Great Lakes Dental to make an appointment and find out more about how to safeguard your mouth against cavities.