Is there a link between Soft Drink Consumption, Obesity, and Tooth Wear in Children? Volume 8 - Issue 2

Mohammad Karimi, DMD, BS*

• Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Sepideh Dental Clinic, Iran

Received: January 12, 2023;   Published: January 24, 2023

*Corresponding author: Karimi M, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Sepideh Dental Clinic, Iran

DOI: 10.32474/IPDOAJ.2023.08.000284

Abstract PDF

Nowadays, we encounter dietary changes, especially shifts in the types and quantities of beverages consumed by children. Unfortunately, most children are not willing to intake milk which could affect their oral health. Researches show that drinking high-sugar soft drinks is most commonly correlated with obesity, type two diabetes, oral manifestations such as teeth caries, and dental erosion [1-4]. In other words, the harmful effect of these beverages has been seen on the dental and general health of people including children and adolescents. The high content of sugar and acids with cariogenic and acidogenic potential could improve dental caries, tooth erosion, and the inverse effect on the general health of children and adolescents leading to overweight and obesity. On the other hand, it has been proven that there is a link between excessive-high consumption of soft drinks and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In their study, Ludwig and his colleagues indicated an association between that increasing energy intake related to soft drinks and an increased level of obesity among American children and adolescents [5]. In a systematic review, Ludwig showed that soft drink consumption alone is the main factor in to increase in caloric intake and is the higher level of obesity in American adolescents [6]. On the other hand, Liu et al, believe type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and asthma are the conditions that are linked to obesity and nutritional imbalances [7]. A few studies have revealed the link between obesity and tooth wear in children [8-10].

Beyond the acidity role of sugar-sweetened drinks, obesity may have an independent effect on tooth wear. Obese children may suffer from esophageal dysfunction, such as increased acid exposure and reflux symptoms that may prone these children to erosive tooth wear [11,12]. Besides, excessive consumption of soft drinks develops dental caries in children over time. In 2019, a new study from King’s College London found that soft drinks, and acidic fruit juices, are a common cause of obesity and tooth decay in adults. Furthermore, they found that being overweight or obese is related to tooth decay, and also increased consumption of sugary soft drinks may be a major cause of enamel and dentin erosion in obese patients due to their acidic nature [13]. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that children and adolescents are no exception to this rule. To summarize, it should be emphasized that the frequency of consumption of soft drinks is significantly associated with dental erosion, dental cavities, and obesity in children. Children’s education about the harmful effects of excessive soft drink consumption is necessary and selecting a non-carbonated soft drink could help them to alleviate dental erosion, dental caries, and prevent obesity and diabetes in the future. Needless to say, patients can prevent tooth wear and obesity by changing their consumption habits, and diets that hamper the problem to get worse.

1. Karimi M (2019) Why Drinking Carbonated Beverages and Energy Drinks are Detrimental to Children’s Oral Health? EC Paediatrics 8.6: 537-543.
2. Tahmassebi JF, Duggal MS, Malik Kotru G, Curzon ME (2006) Soft drinks, and dental health: a review of the current literature. J Dent 34(1): 2-11.
3. Harding MA, Whelton H, O’Mullane DM, Cronin M (2003) Dental erosion in 5-year-old Irish school children and associated factors: a pilot study, Community Dent Health 20(3): 165-170.
4. Malik VS, Popkin BM, Bray GA, Després JP, Hu FB (2010) Sugar-sweetened beverages, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease risk, Circulation 12: 1356-1364.
5. Ludwig DS, Majzoub JA, Al Zahrani A, Dallal GE, Blanco I, et al. (1999) High glycemic index foods, overeating, and obesity. Pediatrics 103: E26.
6. Ludwig DS, Peterson KE, Gortmaker SL (2001) The relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: A prospective, observational analysis. Lancet 357: 505-508.
7. Liu S, Manson JE (2001) Dietary carbohydrates, physical inactivity, obesity, and the “metabolic syndrome” as predictors of coronary heart disease. Curr Opin Lipidol 12: 395-404.
8. McGuire J, Szabo A, Jackson S, Bradley TG, Okunseri C (2009) Erosive tooth wear among children in the United States: relationship to race/ethnicity and obesity. Int J Paediatr Dent 19: 91-98.
9. Tong HJ, Rudolf MC, Muyombwe T, Duggal MS, Balmer R (2014) An investigation into the dental health of children with obesity: an analysis of dental erosion and caries status. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 15: 203-210.
10. Salas MM, Vargas-Ferreira F, Nascimento GG, Huysmans MC, Demarco FF (2018) Tooth erosion association with obesity: findings from a Brazilian survey in schoolchildren. Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Clinica Integrada 18: e3764.
11. Friedenberg FK, Xanthopoulos M, Foster GD, Richter JE (2008) The association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity, Am J Gastroenterol 103: 2111-2122.
12. Emerenziani S, Rescio MP, Guarino MP, Cicala M (2013) Gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity, where is the link? World J Gastroenterol 19: 6536-6539.
13. Kamal Y, O'Toole S, Bernabé E (2019) Obesity and tooth wear among American adults: the role of sugar-sweetened acidic drinks. Clinical Oral Investigations 24(4): 1379-1385.