How Do Sugary Drinks Affect Children’s Teeth?

Soda is not the only drink that can be hard on teeth. Juice, sports drinks, fruit punch, flavored milk, sweet tea, and some flavored waters may also contain sugar. What a child drinks matters, but how often the teeth are exposed matters too.

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By Seahorse Kids Dental · Patient Education

Why Repeated Sipping Can Matter

When bacteria in the mouth use sugar, they produce acids that can damage tooth enamel. A sweet drink with a meal is different from carrying the same drink around and taking small sips over several hours. Frequent sipping gives teeth repeated exposure instead of a longer break between drinks.

The pattern over time is more useful to focus on than one juice box or party drink. Having sweet drinks less often and with meals can reduce how frequently teeth are exposed to sugar.

Drinks That Can Contain Sugar

Soda is not the only drink worth checking. Sugar can also be found in:

fruit juice, fruit punch, and “juice drinks”;
sports drinks;
flavored or sweetened milk;
sweet tea and bottled tea drinks;
smoothies and sweetened lemonade; and
flavored waters with added sugar.

“No sugar added” does not always mean sugar-free. Juice can contain natural sugar even when no sweetener has been added. Check the serving size and the total and added sugar amounts on the label, and compare the listed serving with what your child actually drinks.

Words on the front of a package do not always tell the whole story. When comparing two drinks, it can help to check:

the serving size and how much is in your child's cup;
the amounts listed for total sugars and added sugars; and
the ingredient list when a drink is labeled “juice drink,” flavored water, or a smoothie.

The label is one part of the picture. How often your child drinks it matters too.

What Goes In The Cup?

The cup itself is not the concern; what is in it and how often a child drinks it matter more. Water is a practical choice between meals and in a training cup carried during the day. Plain milk can be offered with meals; flavored or sweetened milk may have added sugar, so check its label too. If your child has juice or another sweet drink, offering it with a meal rather than letting it last all afternoon gives the teeth a break between exposures.

Bedtime is another moment to keep simple. Avoid putting a child to bed with a sweet drink. If a cup is part of the bedtime routine, choose water rather than a sugary drink and ask your child's dentist if you are unsure what is appropriate for their age.

What Can I Change First?

A simple place to start is:

offer water between meals and in the cup your child carries around;
serve juice or another sweet drink with a meal instead of over several hours;
keep sweet drinks out of the bedtime cup;
check labels and serving sizes on drinks that seem “natural” or kid-friendly; and
if your child has a sports drink, avoid letting it become an all-day sipping drink; use water for everyday thirst.

If a medical condition or nutrition plan affects what your child can drink, check with their pediatrician or dietitian before making a change. Dental guidance should work alongside the child's overall care.

When Should I Ask The Dentist?

Bring up drink habits at a checkup if your child has frequent cavities, tooth sensitivity, or white spots on the teeth, or if you are unsure which drinks are best between meals. Bringing the label or a photo of a drink can help the dental team give specific advice for your child's situation.

To ask a question at your child's next visit, call Seahorse Kids Dental at (310) 596-1111.

This information is educational and does not replace individualized dental or medical advice.

Drink habits are one part of daily tooth care. For help with the rest of the routine, see our guides to choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste and when to start flossing your child's teeth.

Sources

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Policy on Nutrition and Dietary Counseling in the Pediatric Dental Setting.
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy, Sugar, Drinks and Dental Health.
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy, Sippy Cups and Dental Health.