Estimated sugar content in drinks:

• 12 teaspoons in 600 ml orange fruit drink
• 16 teaspoons in 600 ml of soft drink
• 9 teaspoons in 600 ml sports drink

The three drinks contain a combined 37 teaspoons of sugar, which translates to 12.3 tablespoons - or more than ¾ cup. While the idea of sitting around drinking ¾ cup of sugar every day may be unattractive, that amount may not be too far off the mark.

You may be surprised to learn how much sugar you and your family may consume from your daily drinks, and you can find out with this Sugary Drinks Calculator.

What All This Sugar Means for Your Teeth

When you consume a sugary drink, the sugar latches to your teeth. While bacteria in the mouth are designed to eat away at the sugar left behind, they also produce an acid while doing so. Over time, the acid eats away at the tooth’s enamel – making the tooth thinner, weaker and prone to developing cavities.

Sugary drinks are the leading dietary cause of tooth decay, and we Australians love them. In fact, Australia is in the top 10 countries for per capita consumption of sugary drink.

What You Can do for Healthier Teeth

Switching to water as your main beverage of choice can make a huge difference for your teeth, as can the tips listed below.

• Consume sugary drinks as an occasional treat, not as a regular habit.
• When you do consume sugary drinks, rinse your mouth out with water immediately afterward.
• Brush and floss daily (of course!).
• Attend the three days of workshops hosted by the Greenvale Dental Group.

Greenvale Shopping Centre's activities during the second week of the school holidays include three days of insightful workshops that can help you and your family maintain healthy teeth for years to come. Swing by Oct. 3, 4 and 5 for the workshops and family-friendly activities, all courtesy of Greenvale Dental Group.