As a parent, you want your child to be healthy and happy. Unfortunately, you may prepare your child foods and drinks that seem healthy, but they can actually be very bad for your child. While surprising to hear, drinking an excessive amount of juice each day can lead to obesity, diabetes, and even poor oral health. Due to these dangers, it is important that children between the ages of 1 and 6 should not drink more than 6 ounces of 100-percent fruit juice. If you are parent who gives their child juice each day, use this guide to understand the dental dangers of this favorite beverage.
Oral Health Dangers
The sweetness of juice may be appealing to your child, but the various sugars, dyes, and acids from the fruit in this beverage can cause tooth enamel to quickly erode. Eroded enamel can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and painful infections. If your child's tooth enamel is weak, the juice may also discolor the teeth.
Over time, the tooth decay can spread onto your child's gums, increasing their risk of developing a serious case of gum disease.
If your child drinks their juice from a sippy cup, they are causing even more damage to their smiles. Sippy cups release the beverages slowly to reduce spills, but this slow drip causes juice to fill up in your child's mouth. Allowing the juice to pool in your child's mouth increases the amount of time the sugars and acids are able to affect the teeth.
Restoring your Child's Smile
Drinking an occasional cup of juice is fine, but you should find alternative beverages that will not affect your child's oral health.
Drinking milk is imperative, since the calcium strengthens your child's bones and teeth. It also effectively heals damaged tooth enamel.
Be sure to give your child water, as well. Determining the exact amount of water children need depends on a few factors including their age, weight, and gender. However, 6 to 8 cups of water each day is recommended for most children.
Once you begin limiting the amount of juice your child drinks, you can begin restoring any damage that has been done to their teeth.
Your child's dentist will suggest an exam to determine if cavities are present. If necessary, these cavities will be cleaned and filled to prevent the decay from spreading. A thorough cleaning is also recommended to remove the buildup of sugar, plaque, and bacteria from your child's teeth.
You may find the dangers of drinking fruit juice surprising, but proper understanding is key to your child's oral health. With this guide and the help of your dentist, you can reduce your child's risk of tooth damage from juice. For more tips on keeping your kids' teeth in good shape, contact a general dentistry clinic.
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