It’s a stereotype rooted in a terrible fact. Central Appalachia is No. 1 in the nation in toothlessness. According to dentists, one of the main culprits is Mountain Dew soda. With 50 percent more caffeine than Coke or Pepsi, Mountain Dew seems to be used as a kind of anti-depressant for children in the hills.

Kids drink the soda in school, at football games and before going to bed at night. And drinking the sugary soda loaded with caffeine often starts early. Dentists speak about families who put soda in baby bottles.

“Other sodas, too,” said Smith, “but Mountain Dew is unique because it has a lot of sugar and a lot of acid. If you’re taking a drink every 20 minutes, that’s like bathing the teeth in it all day.”

“It’s just rampant decay,” adds Dr. Stacie Moore-Martin of the Mud Creek Clinic in Grethel, Ky. “People are addicted to Mountain Dew. It’s terrible.”

Eew! Parents put sodas in their babies’ bottles? What the h-e-double chopsticks is wrong with some parents? They’re uneducated and, I’m sorry to say, ignorant. So, what’s the moral of this post? Don’t buy Mountain Dew for your kids! I have at times purchased Diet Mountain Dew for myself, but I won’t do that anymore. The thought of all that acid in my mouth, not to mention going down into my esophagus and my stomach is too much to…stomach. No more Diet Mountain Dew for me.

Pepsi refutes the idea that consumption of Mountain Dew leads to tooth decay, as I’d expect them to:

Pepsi, the makers of Mountain Dew, told ABC News in an initial statement that it’s preposterous to blame soft drinks for dental decay, saying that raisins and cookies stay in the mouth longer. They added that a balanced diet and proper dental hygiene like flossing and brushing teeth after meals and snacks should prevent decay.

After a report on the topic aired on “Good Morning America” Thursday, Pepsi sent an additional statement saying that their products “consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy, balanced diet.”

I  understand that their main concern is selling as much Mountain Dew as possible, and I don’t begrudge them that. But let’s get real. Mountain Dew and other sugary sodas are not healthy for my kids so I will not let them drink any of it. Yes, small amounts won’t hurt them, but I’d rather not even introduce it to them to begin with. So what do they drink instead? Milk. Lots and lots of milk. Little Man and Little Miss Throwsafit drink skim milk while Littlest One drinks soy because he seems to tolerate it so much better than cow’s milk. If I could get goat’s milk easily, I’d buy that for him instead.

Do what’s right for your kids. Say NO to the Dew!