A dentist, Dr Folashade Adeleye, has said that high intake of soft drinks is detrimental to children’s oral health and general wellbeing.

Adeleye stated this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ibadan.

According to her, soft drinks, also known as aerated drinks, contain high sugar which become addictive for children.

“Soft drink consumption is one of the several leading causes of tooth decay in children.

“Because of their high sugar content, carbonation and acids, soft drinks can weaken tooth enamel and encourage the growth of bacteria that contribute to tooth decay.

“This is because sugar is the primary food source of the bacteria responsible for causing tooth decay and gum disease.

“Too much soft drinks with high sugar content and acidity are not only detrimental to children’s oral health but also their general health,” she said.

Adeleye advised parents to limit the amount of soft drinks they give to their children, while also ensuring that they cultivated good oral hygiene.

“Mothers should not be giving their children everything, just because they cry for it.

“Even if you cannot eliminate soft drinks completely, you can limit the amount they consume. You can even make soft drinks a treat, and not something that should be part of every meal.

“You should encourage your children to drink more milk or water on daily basis, and save the soft drinks for special occasions,” she said.

The dentist also advised parents to help their children cultivate good oral hygiene practices early in life.

“Dental hygiene should begin early in life. Parents should teach their children the importance of brushing twice a day, morning and before going to bed, after all the eating and drinking had been done.

“Healthy teeth are important to children’s overall health. Good oral hygiene practices early in life helps children to develop good habits as they grow.

“However, poor oral care can lead to infection, disease or other teeth problems,” she said.