Strikes Against Soda (The Spokesman-Review)

Lisa Paolino
S-R Parents Council
February 12, 2007

The next time you go to restock your refrigerator with soda, you may want to think again.

According to a recent article in the Washington Post: "For every can of soda your child drinks each day, their chances of being obese double. But the problem isn't just extra calories. A Harvard University study shows that the calories in soda don't register with the brain the same way other calories do. The brain doesn't get the message to stop eating. On average, that means kids consume the calories in the drink plus an extra 200 calories from other foods every day."

Besides obesity, drinking soda can deplete bones of calcium. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that, "As teenage girls have increased their consumption of soft drinks, their consumption of milk has decreased by 40 percent, which may contribute to a decrease in bone density, subsequent increase in fractures, and future risk of osteoporosis."

A third strike against soda is that it is a contributor to tooth decay.

Dr. Charles Toillion of The Children's Choice, a pediatric dental practice in Spokane, sees this every day. Dr. Toillion, fondly known by his patients as "Dr. Charlie," says that drinking soda is like "bathing your teeth in a solution that does nothing but break down your teeth."

Sugar causes cavities, but the acid in soda will erode the tooth enamel. Toillion notes that while the sugar content may be less in a diet soda, the acid in the soda is still bad for your teeth.

Carolyn Lamberson, a Parents Council member and S-R correspondent, says: "My husband and I do drink diet soda (and are trying to cut back) but we don't let our 2-year old daughter drink it. I attend a playgroup where one of the moms lets her 20-month old drink her soda all the time. 'It's OK,' she says. 'It's diet.' "

By choosing healthy food and drink and properly taking care of your teeth, tooth decay can be preventable, Dr. Charlie says. "It is unrealistic for people to give up soda. But you can limit the frequent exposure to soda. Don't let kids get a bottle of soda and sip on it all day."

He says that if you do drink soda, the best precaution against tooth decay is to drink some water afterwards. This will help to rinse out the sugar and acid contained in the drinks.

Another debate about kids and soda is whether to allow it in our schools. Andrew Garabedian, also a dentist at The Children's Choice, has concerns with teens and soda.

As kids grow older and become more independent, they start to make their own choices. If they were brought up drinking soda, their choice, when given the opportunity, is more apt to be soda, he says.

This type of habit is risky for tooth decay.

Keeping soda out of school is an issue that the AAPD has addressed with its policy on vending machines in schools. The purpose is "that targeted marketing and easy access to sweetened foods and beverages (acidulated carbonated and noncarbonated) by children and adolescents may increase the amount and frequency of their consumption, which, in turn, may contribute to an increase in caries risk and a negative influence on overall nutrition and health."

Parents need to set a good example by choosing a healthier drink than soda. Sodas are full of empty calories. The only thing they will do for you is take up space in your refrigerator.