Dentists Warn of Risks Associated with Sports Drinks

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A network of dentists serving low-income families in 22 states has issued a warning to parents about potential health risks associated with the growing trend of sports and energy drink consumption among the nation’s children. The group was responding to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that raised the alarm about ingredients in flavored drinks that can contribute to tooth decay and lead to a variety of other health problems.

“As children of all ages engage in outdoor activities during the summer, there is a growing tendency toward the consumption of sports and energy drinks instead of water”

“As children of all ages engage in outdoor activities during the summer, there is a growing tendency toward the consumption of sports and energy drinks instead of water,” said Dr. Steven Adair, Chief Dental Officer of Church Street Health Management, which manages more than 70 dental centers for low-income families in 22 states. “The Academy’s advice to parents on this issue is clear. Encourage your kids to drink water instead of acidic, high-carb drinks that may increase the risk of tooth decay.”

The AAP findings, published in the June issue of Pediatrics, cited the growing popularity of sports drinks among children and adolescents, and warned against “excessive…consumption of carbohydrate-containing beverages that increases overall daily caloric intake without significant additional nutritional value.”

The high carbohydrate content of these drinks can also hasten tooth decay, which affects five times more children than asthma and has been called a “silent epidemic” by the U.S. Surgeon General. Tooth decay is twice as prevalent among children from low-income families than among their more affluent peers, raising concerns that the increase in sports drink consumption will disproportionately affect at-risk children.

“Many of the children we treat are suffering from rampant tooth decay,” said Dr. Anupama Rao Tate, a CSHM Advisory Board Member and Director of Oral Health Advocacy at Children’s National Medical Center. “Soda and sugary juice are already major obstacles in the fight for dental health in our communities. We must raise awareness among parents that certain sports and energy drinks have the potential to become another barrier between their children and they healthy smiles they deserve.”

The report stated that dental erosion from sports and energy drinks are “of concern” in children and adolescents, and pointed to a common ingredient – citric acid – that is “highly erosive” because it continues to eat away at tooth enamel even after a drink containing citric acid has been consumed.

Among the AAP’s recommendations were the following:

That parents should be informed that routine ingestion of carbohydrate-containing sports drinks by children and adolescents should be avoided or restricted.
Awareness should be raised among children, parents and educators that sports drink intake can lead to excessive caloric consumption and an increased risk of obesity and dental erosion.
Water, not sports or energy drinks, should be aggressively promoted as the principal source of hydration for children and adolescents.

“The Academy’s report performs a valuable service in terms of putting these types of beverages on the radar screens of parents, teachers, coaches and health professionals everywhere,” said Adair. “Creating a culture that encourages the consumption of water and healthy drinks among children will require an ongoing commitment on the part of health professionals, educators, policymakers and communities to ensure that we continue to effectively safeguard children’s dental health.”

With the mission of improving access to dental care among low-income families, The Church Street Health Management network of associated dental centers serves thousands of at-risk children, adolescents and adults nationwide who receive professional dental, orthodontic and other oral health services at more than 70 dental centers in 22 states.