Helping Kids Have Healthy Smiles

Pop Tops the Sugar Axis of Evil

Vincent Sheoships
(Photo courtesy of Wil Phinney)

Think of soda pop as a powerful and addictive sugar delivery system. A 12-ounce can of pop contains 9 to 12 teaspoons of sugar, and a 64-ounce "Big Gulp" contains more than a cup of sugar, according to Bonnie Bruerd, a Health Policy Consultant who works for the Northwest Tribal Dental Support Center in Salem, Oregon. In addition to tooth decay, so much sugar can lead to obesity and diabetes as well as weakening of the bones. The amount of sugar, however, isn't as critical as the amount of time that sugar hangs around in your mouth.

"It's not how much sugar but how often," says Kim Shepherd, Certified Dental Assistant at Yellowhawk. "It's not the soda or juice that a kid consumes, it's the soda or juice that is sipped all day. Constant sugar in the mouth equals decay. Children should only be allowed sugary foods with meals. No sweet snacks or pop between meals, with brushing advised after each meal."

"Sip All Day, Get Decay," a brochure produced by the Minnesota Dental Association, explains how pop causes cavities. It points out:

• Sugar in pop combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid.


• Diet or "sugar free" pop contains its own acid.


• Acid in soft drinks, whether they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel.


• The acid attacks your teeth. Each acid attack lasts about 20 minutes.


• The acid attack starts over again with every sip.


• Ongoing acid attacks weaken your tooth enamel.


• Bacteria in your mouth causes cavities when tooth enamel is damaged.


• If you have a receding gum line, acid does more damage below the gum line than above it, which is particularly a concern for adults.