What’s the hype about Sports Drinks for Children?

~ kidstoothhotline

In the Know for You to Know

Summer is here and everyone is looking forward to being outside playing sports, running, swimming and having fun.

With all that playing it’s only a matter of time before you hear “I’m thirsty. What do you have to drink?” What do you reach for to satisfy your child’s thirst and keep them hydrated?

As a parent you know that juice and soda are not good for your child’s health and their teeth. Do you know that sports drinks which are considered healthy are actually loaded with sugar?

Sports drink companies have done a great job trying to convince us these drinks have magical powers. While doing this they are omitting that their elixir is a combination of salts and minerals (also called electrolytes) like sodium, potassium, and phosphate mixed together with artificial flavors, artificial colors and a lot of sugar.

A rainbow of drink colors

It may seem like a good idea to reach for a sports drink to ward off dehydration on a hot day when they’ve been playing or exercising. All this sugar makes sports drinks less effective for quenching thirst, since the children are using the water in their body to metabolize the sugar. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend these drinks for routine or moderate play or exercise. This is because the sodium, potassium, and phosphate that is put into these drinks is actually stored in our bodies in far greater reserve than anything man can contribute to.

Your child’s healthy body maintains reserves of these vital elements that it can tap into as needed to keep their body’s salt balance in check. It’s natural to lose these electrolytes through sweat, but even with vigorous exercise for many hours, our bodies will correct for any losses with regular healthy meals and drinking water.

These drinks taste good for a reason, and it’s because of the added sugar, which can go on to hurt your child’s dental health. Good habits begin at a young age so encourage your child to make healthy decisions about what they choose to drink as they grow. Your positive example will go far for your family to have happier healthier smiles and a healthier future.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

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Published by kidstoothhotline

As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist with over ten years of experience practicing Pediatric Dentistry, I understand that parents and caregivers are in need for information to care for their children's oral health. You may not have your normal lines of communication open or you cannot easily call or visit your child’s Dentist and obtain answers to your questions. Some families may not yet have a Pediatric Dentist to call. My expertise and knowledge can help serve as your source as I provide answers with information that is current, informative and the Gold Standards of Care which are the practice Guidelines approved by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. I want to help you access this important information by answering your questions through this site. You may want to submit your own individual questions or you can view my postings and answers to other families questions that may apply to your child's needs. I am committed to helping you stay informed, after all it is all about your child.