Something to Smile About

Raising cavity-free kids

• Put only water in kids’ sippy cups except for rare occasions.  Dentists often describe juice and soda as “liquid candy.”
• Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup with milk or juice in it. This may be the biggest contributor to early cavities.
• Reward children with hugs, stickers, and toys instead of sweets.

• If you do give your children an occasional sweet, choose one that melts rapidly instead of gummy candy.  Sugary foods leave a coating on the teeth that contributes to cavity-causing bacteria and enamel-eating acid.
• To build healthy teeth and bones, serve plenty of foods high in calcium, like milk, yogurt, cheese, and vitamin-rich vegetables.
• Get your child in the habit of good dental care early.  Wipe your child’s mouth and teeth with a clean washcloth or gauze pad after each feeding until he or she is old enough to brush.

Sources:  American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Children, Winter 2008: American Dental Association