Does Drinking Juice Impact Children’s Oral Health?

In 2021, a United States survey showed that juice was one of the most consumed beverages by children, confirmed by 74 percent of parents who participated. While it’s no surprise that juice is beloved by little ones due to its sweetness and deliciousness, the truth is that all that sugar can have a grave impact on their oral health, leading to a higher risk of decay and other issues. Read on to learn why juice can be detrimental to your child’s pearly whites and what they should hydrate with instead.

Why is Juice Bad for Children’s Oral Health?

One of the top ingredients in fruit juice, regardless of the brand you buy, is sugar. Harmful oral bacteria known to result in common oral health problems like cavities and gum disease feed off of sugars and carbohydrates that are found in the mouth. If your child is sipping on sugary juice throughout the day, it doesn’t give their saliva enough time to wash it away, leaving sugars lingering on their teeth. As harmful bacteria feed off of it, they produce waste in the form of acid that can erode the protective enamel of their teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay.

Why Should You Substitute Juice for Water?

While it’s not necessary to make sure your child never drinks juice again, it is worthwhile to make sure they’re not regularly exposing their teeth to sugar by sipping on it excessively throughout the day. Instead, try to encourage them to hydrate with water, which will help wash away harmful sugars within the mouth as well as keep food debris from collecting around their teeth. Water can also help trigger the mouth to produce more saliva, which can neutralize acid produced by bacteria and reduce instances of decay.

Other Ways to Protect Your Little One’s Smile

In addition to getting them to stay hydrated with water, here are some other preventive measures you can help your child take to prevent decay and infections from compromising their oral health:

• Have them brush twice each day with fluoridated toothpaste
• Encourage them to floss daily
• Pack tooth-friendly lunches for them that aren’t high in sugars and carbohydrates
• Take them to visit their pediatric dentist twice each year for a checkup and cleaning

If your child is at a high risk of cavities, you can also work directly with their dentist to determine whether additional preventive measures are necessary, like fluoride treatments and dental sealants. By encouraging your little one to make choices that are good for their smile, you can help them create habits that keep their mouth cavity-free into adulthood!

About the Author

Dr. Melissa Rozas has been practicing pediatric dentistry for years and wouldn’t have it any other way! She completed her pediatric dental residency in Houston at UT/Herman Hospital and is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. Her skills and specialized knowledge, along with her fun and friendly demeanor help children feel immediately at-ease whenever they visit her. She offers a wide range of services, including preventive care, like creating good eating habits, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, checkups and cleanings, and more. To schedule an appointment for your child, visit Melissa Rozas DDS & Associates’ website or call 972-393-9779.