Many parents give fruit juice to their children because it is made from fruits and is considered nutritious. However, did you know that many fruit juices contain extra sugars, resulting in up to 23 grams of sugar per 8 ounces? 8 ounces that’s the amount of sugar in coke! This is too much sugar for your teen to eat, leading to weight gain and loss. In addition, fruit juice is usually terrible for your baby’s teeth.
Children’s Dental Center Indianapolis IN has issued a statement stating that children under one year of age should not drink fruit juice. First time since 2001 that they have changed the guidelines for fruit juice for children. In the past, the academy has advised against juicing children under six months of age, and they are now recommending it for teens up to one year old.
Fruit juice does not have the same health benefits as whole fruit because it is low in fiber. Although children like the sweet taste of fruit juice, it is low in nutrients and detrimental to their general health. Instead, you should give him only water and milk until your baby is one year old.
Is Juice Damaging to Children’s Teeth?
Apple and orange juice contain sugar like Pepsi or Coke. Grape juice contains 50% more sugar than Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Even a drink that can be considered the least sugar contains sugar. When this sugar attaches to the bacteria in our mouth, an acid is released, slowly removing the tooth enamel. Enamel damage can result in tooth decay, discomfort and discolouration.
Both naturally occurring and synthetic sugars fall into this category. These figures may surprise some people, but the critical thing to remember is that the frequency of exposure is even worse than the amount eaten when it comes to teeth!
Limit Your Child for Juice Drinking
The quantity of sugar in a beverage is one of the possible misconceptions we hear. Many drinks are labelled “low sugar” or “no added sugar.” It is crucial for your general health, but when it comes to your child’s teeth, the quantity of sugar in a beverage is less significant than the frequency they eat it. For about 20 minutes after each drink of sweet drink, the pH (acidity level) in the oral cavity drops to the level of harmful acid. Consider what would happen if your child drank this drink all day: the pH of his mouth would never return to a healthy level, which would significantly increase his risk of tooth decay.
Many parents assume that adding some water in juice or other sugary drinks will reduce the risk of cavities in the future. Regrettably, this is not the case. A youngster who drinks a sweet beverage all at once is less likely to have cavities than a child who drinks watered-down juice throughout the day. Again, it is related to the fact that sugar is consumed often throughout the day.
How does Fiber help In Digesting Sugar?
Did you know that when you drink the juice of a fruit, it loses the nutritious fiber in its peel and pulp? According to the Pediatric Dentistry Indianapolis IN, this fiber is essential for how your body handles sugar as it passes through your gastrointestinal tract, which opens a new tab on their website. When this fiber is removed, the natural sugars in the fruit are more likely to harm your blood sugar, resulting in weakness, irritability and headaches. On the other hand, these symptoms do not occur while eating fruit.
Although some juices contain a variety of vitamins that are essential for the growth of your growing child, according to the Pediatric Dentist Indianapolis IN, juices should be eliminated from the diet of children under one year of age.
If Your Child Only Drinks Juice Once, Here Are Some Tips To Keep His Teeth Safe
- Make juice and other sweet drinks a special occasion! They are not suggesting that you should be a strict parent who never allows your child to enjoy himself. However, everything should be done in moderation! Your teen should not drink sugary drinks regularly.
- Drink juice together with food. The pH in your mouth will decrease when you eat food containing any carbohydrate type. It is a great time to acknowledge your child’s wishes. Keep in mind that frequency is more important than quantity! So, if they want it, offer it at mealtime instead of between meals.
- Juice should not be kept in cups or bottles. According to Children’s Dentist Indianapolis IN, children should not be given juice before going to bed or with a portable spice cup. It enables kids to drink juice throughout the day instead of drinking it all at once.
- Use a straw for drinking. Using a straw reduces the contact of sugar with the teeth. Then rinse with water. After drinking a sweet drink, give your child a little water to get the sugar out. Use fluoridated water if available.
- If in doubt, take water. Water is the best drink to drink because it never fails. It is best to get your child in the habit of drinking water regularly as soon as possible.
Toothache and cavities are very common in children. In fact, by age five, more than half of all children will have a toothache. You can help your teen avoid bruises by minimizing their sugar intake (including banning fruit juices). Early childhood illness is another name for it. The baby’s front teeth are most affected by tooth decay, but other teeth can also be affected. It derives its name from the fact that when parents put their child down for a nap, they often offer him a bottle of milk or juice. As a result, fluids and carbohydrates stay in the baby’s mouth as he sleeps, leading to rapid tooth decay.
You Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay From Your Baby’s Bottle By Doing The Following:
- During the day, offer your baby only water or milk to drink.
- If your baby drinks milk all day, clean your gums with a clean, damp goose pad or towel.
