Cavities, obesity

As a pediatric dentist, I see the effects that sugary soft drinks can have on children’s mouths. So I applaud your Nov. 13 article addressing the harm these beverages can cause and urging parents to wean their children off them.

It’s worth emphasizing that the high levels of sugar in sweet, carbonated drinks, the kind that many children consume all day long, can hurt them in so many ways. Bacteria in the mouth use the sugar contained in these drinks to form a powerful acid that destroys tooth enamel. The resulting tooth decay, if left untreated, can cause infections that can be carried by the bloodstream to the brain, heart and other organs.

In addition, it’s well known that consuming large amounts of these high calorie drinks causes weight gain and can lead to obesity, which is a growing problem among children. Childhood obesity also can lead to a host of other health problems.

For so many reasons, I urge parents to heed the warnings in this timely article and restrict the quantity of soft drinks that children consume. Take steps now to protect your children from serious health consequences later.

Ronald Venezie, D.D.S.

Apex