Did you know that your toddler is vulnerable to cavities? Unfortunately, more and more children are finding themselves with dental caries. It is believed that the culprit is sugar, specifically, by drinking through sippy cups.
These spillproof cups were designed as a transitional drinking measure to allow your child to go from a bottle to a cup. However, many parents are letting their little ones use these cups for months and years. This exposes them to sugary drinks like juice for longer periods of time. For this reason, unless they are drinking with a meal, sippy cups should only be filled with water the rest of the time.
To help prevent tooth decay in your child, we recommend that your child should see our dentist while they are still young. Ideally, your child’s first visit to a dentist should occur after their first tooth comes in or at least by their first birthday. During this visit, our dentist explains important at-home preventative care measures for your child. This includes how to properly use a sippy cup. Our dentist also examine’s your child’s mouth to see if the teeth are developing as they should.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the best way to use a sippy cup is:
— Only use the cup to help your little one transition to a normal cup.
— Keep the cup filled with water only, except during mealtimes.
— Avoid using them when your child goes to sleep unless they are filled with water.
To schedule a visit for your child with our pediatric dentist, Dr. Thayne Gardner, please call (801) 999-1426 today. Our Little People's Dental team in South Jordan, Utah, looks forward to helping your little one receive the quality dental care they deserve!