For kids, hydration is an extremely important issue, especially when they live in a warm climate. Whether kids go to school, play outside, do some sports, or engage in other physical activities, they need to drink regularly.
However, many beverages which are designed for children contain lots of sugar. Despite the healthy appearance and taste of juices, iced tea, soda, sports drinks and others, frequent consumption of such beverages will cause decay of children's teeth.
It is very helpful to know about the effect of different beverages on children's teeth in such countries as Qatar with its warm climate.
The good news is that parents do not need to complicate the process of hydration for their kids.
Proper selection of drinks and development of appropriate dental routines will help children.
Why Sugary Drinks Can Damage Children's Teeth
How Sugar Contributes to Tooth Decay
There are some bacteria inside the mouth that react with food and beverages.
Some bacteria that survive through sugar create acid that destroys tooth enamel.
Tooth enamel is that hard substance found on teeth. The acid will continue wearing away the enamel resulting in loss of minerals causing cavities.
Children who take sugary drinks will be experiencing acid attacks all day long.
Pediatric dental examination can detect early signs of mineral loss in tooth enamel. For example, Dr. Sandra Thompson, a pediatric dentist in Las Vegas, practices in another desert-climate community and provides preventive dental evaluations for children at different stages of development.
Whereas climatic conditions in themselves do not determine the incidence of cavities, what families drink in hot climatic conditions will affect their children's consumption of sugars.
Why Frequent Sipping Makes a Difference
Not only the quantity of sugar consumed by a child but also the frequency is an important issue.
Let us take two cases. In one, a child drinks a sugared drink with lunch, and another child frequently sips the same drink through the afternoon.
By sipping, oral bacteria can repeatedly come into contact with the sugar in the process of converting it into acid.
Children who usually have sugar-loaded drinks on themselves all day could be exposing themselves to sugar continuously.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends making water a primary hydration choice while limiting sugar-sweetened beverages.
Parents can help by offering sweet drinks occasionally with meals rather than allowing continuous sipping between meals.
How Hot Weather Influences Children's Drinking Habits
Children Need Regular Hydration
Children can lose a lot of fluid via perspiration while engaging in activities outdoors.
During hot days, hydration breaks play an important role in compensating for fluid loss and maintaining proper functioning of the body.
Soda drinks, fruit juices, and other flavored drinks appear very attractive in hot days.
Yet, many of these drinks contain additional sugar without providing any additional benefits required for proper hydration.
For regular activities, water serves as a good option.
When children engage in activities requiring intensive physical effort, their fluid and electrolyte requirements should be considered.
Other factors that need to be taken into account include children’s age and possible medical issues.
Dry Mouth and Dental Health
Saliva is one of the protective elements of your teeth.
Saliva aids in the washing away of food particles, helps in neutralizing acids in your mouth, and allows for the natural regeneration of tooth enamel.
Dehydration may lead to decreased salivation and a dry mouth.
If the mouth is dry, then the teeth may have fewer protections against acids.
But, on the other hand, a dry mouth could happen as a result of dehydration as well as medications, mouth breathing, and certain diseases.
Parents need to encourage their children to drink plenty of water.
Which Beverages Are Better for Children's Teeth?
Water for Everyday Hydration
Pure water is usually the best drink for children to consume daily.
It keeps children hydrated while protecting their teeth from extra sugar.
Water can also assist in washing down the food particles after consuming food.
Parents can make water more attractive by giving cold water to children, using reusable bottles, or adding fruits to give water a mild taste.
The children who get used to drinking water daily may become less dependent on sugary drinks for hydration.
Where water has adequate amounts of fluoride, it can also aid in hardening the tooth enamel.
But parents need to know that not all sources of bottled or tap water have fluoride in them.
Milk as Part of a Balanced Diet
Unsweetened milk contains nutrients such as calcium and protein which are necessary for growth in children.
It can be a good beverage to take with meals by children who are able to take milk products.
Flavored milk on the other hand may have added sugars.
Parents need to compare nutrition facts when buying sweetened milk products.
Milk is not an alternative to water for rehydration outdoors.
Fruit Juice Is Not the Same as Whole Fruit
Fruit juice often appears healthier than soda because it is made from fruit.
However, even 100% fruit juice contains naturally occurring sugars that can contribute to tooth decay when consumed frequently.
Whole fruit usually offers additional dietary fiber and is generally a better everyday option.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations for young children's drinks advise avoiding juice before 12 months of age and limiting quantities for older children.
Parents can encourage children to eat whole fruit rather than relying on juice as a regular beverage.
Practical Ways to Reduce Sugar Exposure
Change Drinking Habits Gradually
Kids that are used to drinking sweet beverages will have problems changing immediately to water.
It would be wise to change gradually.
For instance, parents could start by changing one sweet beverage into water on a daily basis.
Additionally, they could limit the number of sweet beverages they have at home while giving healthier options in school and when playing outside.
Serving water with food can help build consistency.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Effective drinking practices should be accompanied by appropriate dental care.
Children should be brushing their teeth twice per day using fluoridated toothpaste in the right amounts for their age group.
Young children should receive help from their parents when brushing and flossing their teeth as soon as the adjacent teeth touch each other.
Routine checkups at the dentist will enable professionals to detect and treat cavities.
The CDC's children's oral health guidance recommends fluoride toothpaste and other preventive measures to reduce tooth decay.
Children should also avoid falling asleep with bottles or cups containing juice or other sweetened drinks.
Helping Children Develop Healthier Habits
Hot climates emphasize the importance of staying hydrated; however, hydrating children does not mean serving them sugary drinks all day long.
The health of children's teeth can be protected by ensuring that they drink mostly water and consume meals with proper nutrition.
Simple changes in the consumption of liquids will minimize the contact with sugar and ensure better oral conditions.
With regular brushing of teeth and proper dental care, children will have healthy teeth to enjoy their daily activities throughout the year.
