The Main Causes of Childhood Caries

WHAT LOVES SUGAR just as much as kids? Cavity-causing bacteria. That’s why dental caries is the most common childhood disease. Whenever we eat or drink something sugary or acidic, our saliva needs half an hour to wash away the residue. It’s a good idea to limit sugar consumption to mealtimes and swap out sugary snacks with fruits and veggies.

Be Careful With Bottles and Sippy Cups

We don’t recommend switching soda with fruit juice, because fruit juice is just as bad for a child’s teeth! Even milk contains sugar. Any drink that contains sugar can be very damaging to oral health if a child is left to sip on it between meals in a sippy cup or bottle. This kind of tooth decay is so common that it has nicknames: “baby bottle tooth decay” or “bottle rot.”

Set a Good Oral Health Example

We’re not insisting that parents cut their kids off from sugar entirely, but try to restrict sugary drinks and treats to mealtimes and cut back overall. If a child needs a bottle or sippy cup to soothe them, fill it with water. It’s also essential to model good oral health habits for growing kids, like brushing and flossing and regular dentist appointments.

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Published by
Adrian

Recent Posts

What to Do and Expect During Root Canal Recovery

ROOT CANAL THERAPY is a common procedure that saves millions of teeth each year...

2 weeks ago

Beware Viral Dental Health “Advice”

SCROLL THROUGH SOCIAL media for five minutes, and you'll likely encounter someone confidently...

4 weeks ago

The Clear Superiority of Natural Teeth

AS ENDODONTISTS, WE dedicate our careers to one fundamental principle: preserving natural...

1 month ago

Modern Dentistry Versus Old Dental Myths

DENTAL CARE HAS evolved dramatically over the past few decades, yet many people...

2 months ago

A Quick Guide to Tooth Infections

TOOTH INFECTIONS ARE more than just painful; they are serious conditions that require prompt...

2 months ago

Sugar Versus Teeth in Elizabethan England

WHEN SUGAR FIRST arrived in England, it was considered an exotic luxury...

3 months ago