Cavities and Juice and Sugared-Beverages
We practice in Southwest America. With the U.S. and Mexico being some of the leading consumers of sugary beverages, we see a lot cavities and dental disease.
So why are juice and other sugar-sweetened beverages bad for the teeth? And, if we cannot completely stop consuming them, what can we do to limit their destruction of the teeth?
Teeth with night-time bottle of juice
Why Juice Is Bad for Teeth
Juice and other sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, sport-drinks, sweet tea, etc.) contain a lot of sugar. I mean… a lot. It takes 3-4 apples to make an 8 oz glass of apple juice.
Because it’s a liquid, that sugar can gain access to all surfaces of the teeth, especially difficult areas to clean (deep grooves in the teeth and in between the teeth).
The bacteria in the plaque on your teeth convert that sugar into acid. Once you take a sip of something sugary, this acidic environment lasts about 20 minutes before your saliva clears it.
If the acid sits on the teeth long enough, it will break down the tooth structure and cause a cavity. The teeth need a break from this acid so that the saliva can clear the sugar and the teeth can remineralize.
If your child sips on juice for an extended period of time (in a bottle or sippy cup), they’re basically bathing their teeth in acid. This will put them at a very high risk for developing cavities.
Teeth of a child who has unrestricted access to bottle or sippy cup of juice
What Can I Do If my child still wants juice?
Let’s be clear. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry no longer recommend that your child has juice every day.
They recommend that IF you want to give your child juice, limit it to 4-6 ounces per day and give it in one sitting (with a meal).
If you follow these recommendations, and only give your child one brief sugary drink per day, your child should not have issues with their teeth. As long as the rest of their diet is healthy. You can read about diet recommendations here.
What if my child wants more juice?
If your child is accustomed to more than one cup of juice per day, try to limit it to mealtimes. Focus on drinking water the rest of the day.
It helps if you try to limit sugary beverages in the house. If you don’t buy them, or they’re not readily available, it’s less likely your child will request them, or try to find them.
If they still want more frequent, non-water, drinks, you can consider sugar-free drinks and water enhancers. Some of these contain artificial sweeteners. Do your research and consult a medical professional before giving to your child.