Choosing the right drink for your child’s sippy cup will help protect your little one’s baby teeth. Sippy cups are fine when you put the right liquid in them. But when you add sugary drinks – like juice, punch, soda or even milk – harmful bacteria can grow in your child’s mouth. These bacteria can lead to painful tooth decay.

It’s fine for your child to have juice and milk with meals, but not for sipping all day long. Between meals and at bedtime, put only water in your child’s sippy cup or bottle. Never put your baby to bed with a sippy cup or bottle filled with milk, punch, juice or soda. And be sure to wipe your baby’s teeth with a soft infant toothbrush after each meal. These simple steps will help keep your little one’s new teeth healthy and free from cavities.

Youth activities can also have an impact on the health of children’s teeth. A mouth guard is an essential piece of equipment for a youngster participating in sports. The American Dental Association recommends mouth guards for sports that pose a risk of mouth injury such as football, hockey, basketball, baseball, gymnastics and volleyball.¹ A mouth guard helps absorb the shock from a blow to the face that might otherwise result in an injury to the mouth or jaw. It can limit the risk for chipped or broken teeth, internal damage to a tooth, tooth loss and even a broken jaw. A mouth guard also can protect the soft tissues of your cheek lining, tongue and lips, minimizing injury.

Three types of mouth guards are currently available. Your dentist can also advise you on what type of mouth guard is best for your child.

References
¹ “Oral Health Topics: Mouth guards.” Patient Version. American Dental Association. Accessed 2012.