Last time we talked about sweet liquids, and common misconceptions among parents.
For example, although juices may be good for children’s bodies by giving them the vitamins they need, the bacteria in the mouth use natural sugars the same as sugar added to food or soda pop. Even if juice is diluted in water, it still can contribute to cavities.
As we discussed last week, the bacteria in our mouth uses one teaspoon of sugar the same way as ten teaspoons. Every sip, drink, or gulp of sweet liquid starts an acid process that decays the teeth for up to half an hour!
In dentistry, we often talk about “baby bottle rot.” What this really means is tooth decay caused by sweet liquids like juices, sodas, and sugary waters (Gatorade, Propel, and others that often fly below the radar). It is not only caused by a bottle, but by other things like sippy cups and even regular cups. What causes all the problems is the duration of exposure to these sweet liquids. The longer they are drinking these liquids, the more acid they are exposed to, and that is when cavities form.
It is important to be aware of what your child is drinking. Read labels, and look for sugar content. If it has more than 0 grams of sugar, then try to limit exposure time. Make sure that your child receives regular check-ups as soon as they have teeth to detect and prevent any cavities.
The bottom line is we want to minimize oral bacteria in children, and being careful about liquids is a large part of that goal.