From Sippy Cups to Big Kid Cups: How Drinks Impact Growing Smiles
Even Little Changes Matter to Oral Health
If you think about it, children go through a lot of transitions as they grow up. From having pacifiers every night to not needing one, from enjoying a bottle of milk to graduating to sippy cups, and eventually they even have that transition to starting school. But with all of these transitions, it can be hard to keep an eye on what goes into those drinks. You feel as though you’re in survival mode, chasing a toddler from one side of the house to the other. Does it truly matter what they drink, and how they drink it?
What your child drinks throughout the day plays a big role in their dental health. That sports drink your child has every day after school can have a bigger impact than you might realize. And the sippy cup? It could create issues over time by exposing your child’s teeth to the sugary drinks inside.
Though it might sound overwhelming to some, it’s important to remember that even small steps toward healthier alternatives have an impact on your child’s oral health. From baby bottles to sports drinks, those choices can make a difference in their growing smile. Of course, you’re not alone in the mission of keeping your child’s teeth healthy. Sheppard Family Dental Care is here to help you every step of the way.
The Early Years: Bottles and Sippy Cups
In those early years, sometimes it feels like you’re just trying to survive. Your little one wants this, then that, then another thing. They’re getting what feels like six teeth at a time, refusing to sleep half the time, and the clothes you bought them last week suddenly don’t fit. With everything going on, it can be hard to focus on what they’re drinking, but taking that extra time can really help their oral health as they grow.
When giving your little one something to drink, try to reach for water whenever you can. Sure, sometimes your child still needs their milk, and sometimes they want a tasty drink, but giving them items filled with sugar can lead to early tooth decay.
When you put them to bed, don’t give them anything other than water. We get it, bedtime can be quite a struggle at times. But keep in mind that if they are drinking anything with sugar overnight, all of that sugar just sits on their tooth enamel and can quickly lead to cavities.
Transitioning to Big Kid Cups
So when are you supposed to transition to big kid cups? The goal is to move away from sippy cups and bottles by the time your child turns two. Why? When your child drinks from a sippy cup, the liquid inside sits on their teeth for longer. Using straw cups or traditional open-top cups place the liquid farther back in the mouth, limiting the exposure to the liquid.
The sugar exposure isn’t the only reason your child should give up sippy cups by the age of two. Using big kid cups actually helps their mouth develop properly and encourages healthier drinking habits. Ensuring your child is drinking out of developmentally appropriate cups can help their palate form properly and help avoid certain orthodontic interventions later in life.
Common Drinks and Their Impact
What you put in their cup makes a difference in your child’s oral development as well. Though a glorious treat, watch out for that juice and the tempting sports drinks. They are typically high in sugar and acids and can contribute to cavities.
Watch out for soda as well. Not only does this place sugar against the enamel, but the acids in these drinks can also weaken enamel over time.
Now this doesn’t mean your child can’t enjoy a tasty drink! But try to limit sugary options when possible. Instead, reach for something that will truly nourish their body and help their teeth be as strong as possible. Filling their cups with either water or milk helps rinse bacteria from their mouth and strengthen that enamel.
Simple Tips for Healthier Smiles
By keeping an eye on your child’s habits and what they eat and drink, you can set your child up for success when it comes to their oral health. To help whisk away hidden bacteria on those teeth, offer your little ones water between meals and after snacks.
If you do give your children sugary drinks, limit it to mealtimes so the other food has a chance to help dispense of the sugar. After your child finishes their meal, encourage them to rinse their teeth with water, especially if their food was accompanied by a sweet or acidic drink.
These small changes in what your child drinks can make a big difference as they grow. If you have any questions, concerns, or just need to schedule your little one for their dental cleaning, you can always contact Sheppard Family Dental Care. Remember, building these better habits early helps protect their smile for years to come.