Soft Drinks, Teens and Cavities

Expelled at lunch, admitted in study hall

Soft drink purchases by teens in schools increased 1,100 percent over the past 20 years, while dairy purchases have decreased by 30 percent, according to a new report in the January/ February 2003 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.

Although federal regulations prohibit the sale of soft drinks to students during lunch hours in most schools, soft drink machines line hallways, which means the goods are accessible to students all day long.

Marketers of soft drinks, an industry that earns $60 billion and produces 15 billion gallons of soft drinks a year, continue to win the 'pick me' consumption battle with teenagers, especially in schools, says Jonathan Shenkin, DDS, lead author of the new report. Unfortunately, the increased availability and pervasive marketing of soft drinks in schools has overshadowed healthy alternatives, says Dr. Shenkin.

In 1977, 12- to 19-year-olds drank 16 ounces of soda a day. In 1996, this same group consumed an average of 28 ounces a day. Soda consumption has increased from 22.2 gallons of cola per person per year in 1970 to 56 gallons in 1999.

Fact:
A typical 12-once can of regular soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar.

Fact:
The average male in the 12- to 19-year age group drinks the equivalent of 868 cans a year.

These statistics alarm dentists, who agree pouring rights contracts, in which schools accept advertising and sales deals to boost finances, has helped boost the amount of cavities in teens, according to Cindy Flanagan, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. Some dentists feel this is reverting the oral health of many teens to a pre-fluoride condition.