How Does Juice Affect Toddler's Teeth? 4 Reasons to Limit Juice Intake

Juice is often seen as a healthy drink for kids, packed with vitamins and fruit. A common question parents in Houston, TX ask is: does fruit juice really cause cavities? The simple answer is “yes”. While fruit juice may sound like a healthy option, the truth is that these drinks can negatively impact your dental health. Many fruit juices contain high amounts of sugar, which can lead to tooth decay, especially in children. Understanding how juice affects your child’s teeth can help you make better decisions about what they drink each day.

Discover Four Reasons Why Your Kids Should Limit Their Juice Intake.

1. Toddlers Who Are Given Juice Are More Susceptible to Cavities

Children’s primary teeth are very susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. In fact, more than 50 percent of children will be affected by tooth decay before the age of 5. By limiting your child’s sugar intake (including limiting fruit juice consumption), you can help ensure your child remains cavity-free.

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries. Tooth decay in young children occurs most often in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also experience decay. 

The term "baby bottle tooth decay" was coined because parents often give their child a bottle of milk or juice when putting them down for a nap. Then, when the child falls asleep, the liquid and sugars remain in the mouth, leading to rapid tooth decay. Dr. Luu, at Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry, recommends you don’t give your child juice in a bottle.

2. Fruit Juices Lack the Benefits of Nutrition

While 100% fruit juice contains some nutrients like Vitamin C and potassium, it offers little nutritional benefit over whole fruit for young children and lacks fiber. The added sugar contains no benefit but does cause tooth decay.

Dr. Luu, along with The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), advises against fruit juice for infants under 12 months, as it provides no nutritional benefits, and for babies under 6 months, it can displace essential milk or formula.

3. Children Who Drink Juice Often Don't Drink Enough Water

When children are enticed to drink juice, they will be less likely to enjoy drinking water. While it is fine to allow your child to enjoy fruit juice in moderation, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting the fruit juice to a maximum of 4 ounces per day for children ages 1 to 3 years old. 

The habit of drinking juice throughout the day discourages your child from reaching for a healthy glass of water. 

4. How Fruit Juice Can Harm Your Child's Teeth

Too much sugar in your child’s diet can contribute to other problems, like poor nutrition, obesity, and tooth decay. The sugar in fruit juice can harm your child’s teeth in a few ways:

Sugar promotes tooth decay. 

The sugar contained in fruit juice feeds the bacteria in your mouth, producing acids that erode tooth enamel. 

Prolonged Sugar exposure increases the risk of decay. 

When your child slowly drinks sugary beverages throughout the day, it allows more time for the sugars to stay on the teeth. This exposure creates an ideal environment for cavities. 

Sugar diminishes the effectiveness of saliva

Saliva plays an important role in maintaining the pH balance of the mouth and washing away acid, which feeds cavity-causing bacteria. However, sugary drinks can overpower the saliva and prevent it from neutralizing the acids. 

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Healthy Choice Options

You can help prevent baby bottle tooth decay in your child by doing the following:

• Only give your child water or milk to drink during the day. At night or before a nap, only give water.

• If your child drinks milk during the day, afterward wipe their gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.

• When your child's first tooth comes in, brush gently with a child-size toothbrush and non-fluoride toothpaste.

• Schedule a visit to our Houston area pediatric dentist when your child's first tooth appears, or by age 1. Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry in the surrounding area of Houston, TX specializes in pediatric dental care to help ensure your child’s teeth stay strong and healthy.

To give your child the best chance of excellent lifelong oral health, consider limiting their juice intake to fewer than 8 ounces per day. For children ages 1 -3, no more than 4 ounces per day should be consumed. Talk to your Houston area pediatric dentist to determine the best foods and drinks for your child.