Marketing for energy and sports drinks is everywhere, making it no surprise to anyone - that parents and kids alike associate an after-game thirst-quencher with Gatorate® or Powerade®. While these drinks can be highly beneficial for performance athletes, they can be harmful to growing children, negatively impacting their oral health, weight, and mental balance when consumed often. To avoid dental decay (cavities), choose healthier drinking options for your kids. Here is a guide to why water is the best source of hydration for young athletes. 

What Ingredients Are in These Drinks?

Sports drinks like Powerade and Gatorade are loaded with unnatural color additives, calories, and sugars. Originally designed to restore electrolytes, calories, and carbohydrates lost through sweat from vigorous exercise, this type of drink contributes to hyperactivity, weight gain, and tooth decay for children playing just a one-hour soccer game.

A 12-oz. Gatorade has 21 grams of sugar, compared to a can of soda, which has 23 grams. Additionally, these drinks have a high citric acid content, stripping tooth enamel and making them more sensitive and vulnerable to decay and cavities.  It is recommended that children limit their consumption to less than 25 grams of added sugars per day.  The American Heart Association also recommends no more than 8 ounces of sugary beverages per week.    

Why Is Water Considered More Beneficial?

The best drink for hydration is water. However, there are times when a sports drink can serve a valuable purpose, like after prolonged and strenuous activity over 60 minutes, or during hot, humid, or high-altitude conditions.  In those rare instances that you're giving your child a sports drink, Dr. Steckelberg recommends diluting it by filling an empty bottle half-way with the sports drink and the rest of the way with water.  

Sports drinks do not hydrate better than water; they replace electrolytes and carbohydrates better, which is only necessary during training or competition and could be easily swapped for a piece of fruit. With a growing child's health and oral care in mind, water is the best choice after a sports game or otherwise. 

When residents in Lincoln, NE, need a quality dentist that can care for the whole family, they turn to Steckelberg Dental. This dental practice has a reputation for compassionate and comprehensive care in children's dentistry, general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, preventative care, and periodontal disease treatment. They use state-of-the-art technology to personalize an oral health plan that keeps you and your family smiling. To see a full list of services, visit them online or call (402) 489-7800 for an appointment.