Juice is often seen as a healthy option, but most fruit juices are high in natural sugars that can contribute to tooth decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting juice intake in children and advises that children under 1 year old should not consume any juice at all.

Instead of juice, encourage your child to drink water or eat whole fruits, which contain fiber and fewer sugars that stick to the teeth. If your child does have juice, serve it only with meals and never in a bottle or sippy cup that they carry around all day.

Dental decay in children often starts early — and sugar-heavy drinks are a major contributor. At our Fair Lawn dental office, Dr. Mancuso and her team provide education and prevention strategies to help families protect their children’s teeth.

 

For more on early dental care, visit our Child Dentistry page.