Not So Sweet Side of Sugar

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are leading sources of added sugar in the American diet. Added sugars include sweeteners such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose that are added during the processing of food and beverages. Examples of SSBs include soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, sweetened tea, and flavored milk and coffee.

Studies show that consuming sugary drinks regularly can cause tooth decay (cavities). Over time, drinking sugary drinks daily may lead to serious health risks such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

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Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Tooth Decay

There is a variety of beverages to choose from when you are thirsty, exercising, playing, or having a meal. Drinks such as soda, sweetened juices, or sports drinks usually have added sugar and can lead to tooth decay, among other health problems.

Everyone has harmful bacteria in their mouths that eat the sugars we consume. Sugar combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid, which attacks the tooth enamel. Over time, repeated acid attacks weaken the tooth’s enamel, resulting in permanent damage, such as cavities.

The cavities created by the acid attacks continue to grow bigger as more of the tooth decays, and, if left untreated, can lead to an infection and even tooth loss.

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Get the Facts on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Reading the nutrition facts label and list of ingredients can help you learn what is in your drink. It can help you make informed decisions about your sugar-sweetened beverage consumption to prevent tooth decay and foster changes that will promote long-term well-being. Follow the steps below to spot the sugar on a beverage label when shopping:

  1. Start with the serving size and the number of servings per container.
  2. Read the ingredient list. Look for sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup, corn sweetener/corn syrup, sucrose, glucose, maltose, dextrose, syrups, concentrated fruit juice, agave, and honey.

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Visit the oral hygiene and healthy habits page

Healthy Drinks, Healthy Teeth

What you drink is as important as what you eat. Beverage options with nutrients or without added sugar can decrease tooth decay and promote better health. Try the tips listed below to help you limit sugar-sweetened beverages for a healthy smile.

  1. Make water your first choice! Water is the perfect beverage for quenching your thirst and rehydrating. Drinking water is one of the easiest things you can do to help prevent cavities. Water does not contain sugar, and it cleans your mouth with every sip by washing away leftover food and sugar. Choose safe tap water. Many public water systems contain fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral in water that helps prevent tooth decay. Learn more about community water fluoridation.
  2. Skip drinks with added sugar. Avoid or limit soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit drinks, such as fruit punch. These choices can leave unwanted sugar behind on your teeth. The cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth love to eat sugar and produce acid that wears away the tooth enamel.
  3. Include dairy or non-dairy milk alternatives. Milk is a good source of calcium and other important nutrients for strong teeth. Non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy milk, is fortified with essential nutrients. Choose options that are unsweetened and do not have added sugar.
  4. Make careful coffee and tea choices. When consumed in moderation, these beverages are considered healthy. Try plain coffee or tea. If you like sweet-tasting drinks, add just 1 teaspoon or less of sugar or honey.
  5. Cut back. Choose smaller servings. When water just won’t do, enjoy the beverage of your choice, but just choose smaller portions. Select smaller cans, cups, or glasses instead of large or supersized options.

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