Children & Caffeine Consumption

Cute kids with glass of soda It turns out that soda consumption among children has been decreasing with every passing year, which is great new! However, even while kids are drinking less soda, their caffeine intake is increasing. In fact, up to 75% of American children consume some form of caffeine every single day. This disturbing statistic is thanks to the increased popularity of energy drinks as well as increased coffee consumption among kids.

Why Caffeine is Bad for Kids

We all know that caffeine is bad for children, but do you really know the reasons why? Below are some things you should know about caffeine before allowing your children to consume beverages that contain it:

Caffeinated drinks are usually quite acidic – Most of the drinks that contain caffeine are also very acidic. Soda, coffee, energy drinks, these beverages all contain high amounts of acid. Tooth enamel is strong, but if exposed to a steady stream of acid, it may begin to break down. This can cause a number of dental problems including tooth decay and dental cavities.
Caffeine is highly addictive – Caffeine is considered one of the most addictive substances there is. The more caffeine you ingest, the more your body will crave. This is why it’s important to help your child avoid ever starting a caffeine routine; because it may be tough to break in the future.
Caffeine robs the body of calcium – Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases the amount of urine in the body. When more urine is produced, the body loses calcium. Because of this, caffeine has been shown to quite literally steal calcium from your child’s bones and teeth.

The best way to prevent your child from consuming caffeine is by not having caffeinated beverages in your home. Not only will this improve your child’s overall health, but their dental and oral health as well.

If you live in the Dover, New Hampshire area and would like to make a dental appointment for your child, please contact Great Outdoors Pediatric Dentistry today. We are passionate about your child’s oral health!

Posted on Aug 23, 2018

Image Credit: © Dreamstime.com

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Families throughout New Hampshire trust Great Outdoors Pediatric Dentistry for compassionate, high quality pediatric dental care. Parents appreciate our friendly team, fun office environment, and the gentle approach Dr. Wilson takes with every child. We are proud to have earned the confidence of so many families and invite you to see what others are saying about their experience with our pediatric dentist and team.

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Awesome is all I can say took my daughter in as a new patient and saw her the same day I called. Everything my daughter needs they are on top of it.

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Skye and Dr. Patrick were so lovely and patient with my daughter who gets nervous getting her teeth checked out! The office is super cute and clean and I loved that the kids can watch a movie while in the chair!

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We have always been extremely happy with our experiences at GOPD! The doctor and staff are incredible! Their of knowledge of different insurance plans has helped save us money! Thank you so much!

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We had an absolutely wonderful experience. After going someone where else first that just wanted to pull teeth instead of fixing them we tried here. All the staff and doctor were absolutely wonderful. Came up with a wonderful care plan, my daughter had zero pain or discomfort and he addressed a few issues at once. We fee very comfortable with staff knowledge, explanation and care given. The self pay membership plan was also a huge cost savings as well as we self pay regardless.

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I cannot speak highly enough about this place. The entire staff is very kind and extremely good at what they do. Great with kids. Our appointments are always smooth, efficient, and enjoyable. The location itself is very clean, modern, and streamlined. A++

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Hands down the best experience my 2 year old and I have had yet! It was a breeze talking with Kris to schedule my son’s first dentist appointment. She was so nice and very helpful when I asked her about insurance coverage. She had Gabby in billing call me to answer a couple questions I had.

I was so nervous about my son’s first dentist appointment. He is a VERY active boy who rarely ever sits still.

When we arrived at GOPD, we liked how clean and orderly the general atmosphere was. The front desk staff were so down to earth and nice, it made me feel a lot better. We then met with dental hygienist, Sky, and she was so unbelievably sweet, patient and helpful with my son, showing him all the tools and letting him try them out. Dr. Patrick was amazing as well!

Honestly, I don’t have one bad thing to say. Everyone was so welcoming, nice and knowledgeable! My husband and I were impressed and very grateful to have found such a great place!

It was such a great first experience! Highly recommend!

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Expert Tips for Healthy, Happy Smiles

Here, you will find expert insights on pediatric dental treatments, tips for making brushing and flossing easier at home, and advice on how to support your child’s long term oral health. Whether you are preparing for your child’s first dental visit or looking for ways to improve their daily routine, our blog is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions for your family.