Buying healthy options for your child can be challenging. Often, products that aren't nutritious are marketed as a health food, even when they are loaded with additives and sugar that can be harmful to their teeth. Fruit juices seem like a great way to get more vitamins into a child's diet but may be just as much a contributor to cavities as a can of soda. Here is a guide on how fruit juice impacts your child's oral hygiene.

How Does Juice Affect a Child’s Teeth?

Fruit juice labels can be misleading with words like, "juice blend", "juice cocktail" or "fruit punch." What this typically means is that there is little nutritional value, lots of sugar and unhealthy additives. When a child sips a sweet drink, the sugar attracts bacteria in the mouth, forming an acid that interacts with the plaque and begins eroding tooth enamel, making the tooth more susceptible to decay and cavities. 

What Are Some Healthy Alternatives to Fruit Juice?

If your child can't give up juice altogether, try switching to whole fruit juice and diluting it with water. Try managing their sugar intake by not serving more than 4 to 6 ounces of additive-free juice a day. Whole fruit smoothies are a wonderful way to include fiber and can be made using fruit with high water content like watermelon and cantaloupe. 

Whole, soy, rice or almond milk provide calcium and promote bone health. Tap water contains highly beneficial fluoride that helps prevent cavities by bonding to tooth enamel. Water supports strong oral hygiene and is the healthiest beverage your child can drink.

For a dentist with experience, residents of Rhinelander, WI, choose Timber Drive Dental. For the last 20 years, this dental team has provided high-quality dependable dental care for the entire family. Owner and dentist Dr. Paco Fralick has a strong commitment to continued education using the latest advancements and leading industry techniques. With a specialty in preventative care and general dentistry, patients' oral hygiene is a top priority. To schedule an appointment, visit them online or call (715) 365-1800.