You may have assumed on past trips to the grocery store that fruit juice was a healthy option for your child’s lunch. After all, it’s made of, well, fruit; that means it has to be good for your little one, right? Unfortunately, most fruits juices contain added sugar and other ingredients that can be harmful to your child’s smile as well as the rest of their body. Read on to learn some important facts about fruit juice that your children’s dentist in Lockport wants you to know.
What’s Really in Fruit Juice?
There’s often more than juice in those fruity drinks you buy for your children. Many of them are loaded with sugar and acids. In fact, some of them have the same amount of sugar as a glass of soda! Mixed juice blends, juice cocktails, and juice drinks are common examples of beverages that contain more potentially harmful ingredients than you might realize. Fruit punch may be the worst, as it has little nutritional value to speak of. Even 100% fruit juices can contain large amounts of sugar; as such, it’s generally recommended that younger children have no more than 4 to 6 ounces of fruit juice during any single day.
What Can Happen if Your Child Drinks Too Much Fruit Juice?
The acids and sugars in fruit juice and other sugary drinks can very easily lead to cavities. When there’s a lot of sugar in the mouth, oral bacteria are encouraged to produce acids that can eat through the enamel. Drinking too much juice ensures that the teeth will have a lot of sugar on them for a longer period of time. Furthermore, if your child is drinking juice from a sippy cup, a bottle, or another container designed to release liquid slowly, then it will tend to pool on the teeth and give the bacteria extra time to inflict damage.
What Should You Give Your Child to Drink Instead?
Some juices actually can be healthy as long as they don’t contain an excessive amount of sugar and as long as your little one doesn’t drink more than 4 to 6 ounces daily. Look for 100% juice that doesn’t contain added sugar or other ingredients. Tomato, vegetable, grape, berry, and orange juice are often good choices. You may also consider whole milk and plain sparkling water as more tooth-friendly options. Tap water is probably the best option; not only does it help clean the teeth, but it also often contains fluoride that strengthens the enamel.
If you have any concerns about what your children drink on a daily basis, talk to your dentist. They can give you an idea of what you should cut out of your diets as well as ideas for nutritional replacements. Keep their smiles safe while their bodies are hydrated!
About the Practice
Grand Dental – Lockport boasts a team of dental experts that all take their continuing education very seriously. They all have fully devoted themselves to making sure that each and every person that walks through our doors receives fully personalized, honest care. To set up an appointment for your little one where you can ask questions about their oral health and their diet, visit our website or call 815-240-8803.