Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends taking your child for their initial pediatric dental visit when their first tooth arrives, which is usually around their first birthday? They also advise scheduling a routine checkup and cleaning every six months after that to prevent common concerns, such as cavities or gum disease.
However, routine visits aren’t the only way to avoid oral issues. For example, did you know that consuming sugary beverages contributes to tooth decay? Continue reading to learn more about how different drinks affect your kid’s teeth and how you can help preserve their smile!
Which Drinks Can Cause Cavities?
Many well-meaning parents and guardians offer their children flavorful fruit juices to help them incorporate a wider variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients into their diets. However, these drinks typically contain high amounts of sugar, which attracts bacteria that can erode their enamel. Unfortunately, this increases the likelihood that they’ll develop tooth decay and other concerns.
You might think that sodas or sports drinks are wiser choices, but they often also have plenty of sugar. Not only that, but they’re acidic enough to erode enamel and contribute to cavities.
Do Cavities in Baby Teeth Matter?
Now that you understand more about how different drinks can affect your child’s oral health, you might wonder whether it matters if they develop decay in their baby teeth. After all, they eventually fall out, so how harmful can cavities really be?
The truth is that caries in primary teeth can impact your kid’s dental condition in a few different ways. For instance, tooth decay can cause sensitivity or pain that they might still be too young to verbalize effectively. Cavities can also become infected and cause more severe throbbing or spread to your little one’s neighboring teeth, gums, or jawbone. This can negatively affect the growth and development of their permanent pearly whites before they erupt.
How Can I Help Protect My Child’s Smile?
Thankfully, there are several ways you can help your child avoid common concerns from drinking too many sugary beverages. For instance, you can exchange their juice or soda for water, which can support their teeth and gums. It has a nearly neutral pH balance to counter possible acid damage, and also rinses away leftover food, germs, and other debris to help keep their little mouth clean.
You can also help them learn the value of proper preventive care by implementing a twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine. Having them brush and floss every morning and night can strengthen their enamel and connective tissues to preserve their smile!
About the Practice
At G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, children of all ages benefit from a team of experts eager to help them build and maintain beautiful, healthy grins. Dr. Nicole, Dr. Cory, and Dr. Hannah collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services to preserve and guide still-developing smiles. They combine a caring and compassionate approach with advanced technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results. If you’re concerned that your child has cavities requiring repair, you can request an appointment on the website or call (630) 778-9500.