Healthy Food and Beverage Standards
“It’s been so hot this summer, we drink agua frescas throughout the entire day to help cool off.” My seven-year-old patient, Camille, had a mouth full of dental caries. Camille’s mom was explaining why she had been drinking so many sugar-sweetened beverages. “My favorite is the Jamaica!” exclaimed Camille. As a dentist, I see many patients who suffer from increased dental disease and pain due to their dietary habits. Something as simple as one’s choice of beverage can deteriorate oral health outcomes over time.
So, what exactly counts as a sugar sweetened beverage, or SSB for short? SSBs are drinks that contain added sugars, including sodas, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and coffee and tea beverages with added sugars.1 Overconsumption of SSBs can lead to chronic health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. But the risks tied to overconsuming sugary beverages don’t end there. Increased sugar consumption also contributes to poor oral health, including conditions such as dental caries and erosion of teeth.2 How can we as health professionals educate and empower our communities about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption?
As a Champion Provider Fellow, I collaborated with the Los Angeles County Department of...