What’s the Real Scoop on Sippy Cups and Baby Teeth?
The Lowdown on Sippy Cups
Many parents are fans of sippy cups. They are a great way to give your child a drink without having to worry about the spill potential from a regular cup. Sippy cups are also a great way to give your child a drink on the go, especially in the car. But are sippy cups really a good choice? The team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver, Washington, breaks down the good, bad, and ugly truth about sippy cups, and whether you should be allowing your child to use one.
Why Sippy Cups Were Created
The purpose of a sippy cup is to help toddlers transition from using a bottle to using a regular cup. Throughout the years, the sippy cup has been a saving grace for many parents, as it allows for easy travel and minimal mess. Most sippy cups are designed with two handles, which allow for toddlers to grasp both sides while drinking. Another feature of sippy cups that parents love is the screw on tops, which allows for little to no spilling. That means your little one is less likely to be wearing their drink as they learn to navigate drinking on their own.
Another advantage of a sippy cup over a regular cup is its spout. The spout on a sippy cup is a great intermediate step between the rubber nipple of a bottle and a straw. The spout design on a sippy cup allows your toddler to get used to the motion of tipping their cup while drinking, but without the worry of spilling the drink all over their shirt and pants.
The Downside for Baby Teeth
One reason pediatric dentists urge against letting your child use sippy cups is because of the negative effect they can have on your baby’s teeth. Using a sippy cup allows the teeth to constantly be in contact with sugars and acids in drinks, especially those found in fruit juices and milk. This prolonged exposure can lead to tooth decay.
Another reason dentists may discourage sippy cup use is because they can cause oral development and speech pattern issues if the cup is used too long. Prolonged use of sippy cups can cause improper tongue-tip development, which is crucial for speech development in toddlers.
A third reason parents should be cautious of sippy cups is because they can harbor germs. If not cleaned often enough, and properly, a sippy cup is a treasure trove of hidden spots for germs and bacteria to hide and fester. To help prevent this, your child’s sippy cup should be washed thoroughly in the dishwasher after every use.
Healthier Sippy Cup Habits
It isn’t all bad when it comes to sippy cups. They are a great way to transition your toddler from a bottle to a regular cup. Many parental experts suggest switching to regular cups or cups with straws between the ages of 12 to 18 months.
To help your child develop healthy habits, it’s recommended not to allow them to carry the cup around all day. Allow their sippy cup to sit on the coffee table or some other easily accessible spot where they can easily grab it for a drink or two when thirsty.
As mentioned, dentists also recommend only offering your child water in their sippy cups during the day. Sipping on water constantly is great for hydrating. Sipping on juice or milk throughout the day, however, is not great for your little one’s developing teeth. Long-term exposure to sugars and acids can cause bacteria buildup and can also lead to tooth decay. Stick to drinks other than water for meal times only.
Visit Must Love Kids for biannual checkups.
The sippy cup is a great invention for parents, and it is a fantastic way to transition your child from using a bottle to drinking with a regular cup. However, parents should be mindful of the harm a sippy cup can cause to their child’s mouth, and use it sparingly. If parents are ever worried about the development of their child’s teeth, Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry is here for you through every step of your child’s life.
Be sure to visit us at least twice a year so we can help monitor your child’s oral development. We’re also able to offer up tips as your child’s teeth develop. Call or hop online today to schedule an appointment!
