Fact: Over 1,200 children under the age of two have had their teeth removed last year because of Early Childhood Tooth Decay (ECTD). This number represents a 10% increase since 2010, and fruit juice is one of the causes.
Surprising? It is for the many parents who thought that fruit juice was an oasis of health for their children. Actually, some fruit juices have more sugar than soda, a beverage that’s a big health no-no.
Companies eager to make a quick buck off your children are promoting high sugar, low nutrition beverages under the guise of “fruit drinks” to lure unsuspecting parents to their products.
Some parents with good intentions fill their toddler’s bottles with fruit juices too, even leaving their children to drink them throughout the night. The dangerous result? Children with teeth that rot and decay long before they are fully grown out.
Parents, don’t be fooled. The small amount of vitamins and antioxidants found in fruit juices do not make up for the sugar. Currently, 5-10% of U.S. children have oral health issues and by age five, 60% will have some level of tooth decay.
According to a recent study, more than a quarter of juices marketed to children have as much as or more sugar than a can of soda. A glass of apple juice could have up to 9.8 teaspoons of sugar in it – that’s only .2 teaspoons less than a can of coke! Store bought smoothies aren’t much better, containing seven teaspoons of sugar as well.
“Healthy” snacks aren’t exempt either. Yogurt has four teaspoons of sugar and the average cereal bar has four and a half. High volumes of sugar are hiding in every corner of your child’s lunch box and can wreak havoc on his or her teeth.
Your child’s teeth are not the only victims of a sugary diet. Oral health is linked to general health, and an absence of teeth can cause infections to the ears, sinuses and the brain. Poor oral health can also cause pain, poor sleeping habits, poor speech articulation and social discomfort.
This is frustrating for many dentists because ECTD is easily preventable through more frequent dental check-ups and a decreased-sugar diet.
The problem is that many company claims of “100% pure” juice and “not from concentrate” are misleading. Their processes for storing and preserving juices involve the use of additives to maintain flavor at the expense of health. Water and actual fruits and vegetables are the healthiest substitutions for fruit juices.
Finally, use the “flip the lip” technique to check your baby’s teeth monthly. If your baby has white, chalky areas around his or her gum line, these may be the early signs of ECTD. Stopping or reversing decay is possible at this point. If your baby’s teeth have brown spots, dental treatment is needed.
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