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Starbucks is one of the most popular spots for young adults to gather and hang out, and enjoy coffee with friends.  But, a lot of the drinks on Starbucks’ menu are terrible for teeth. So, what should parents do?

The Problem: Way Too Much Sugar 

Sugar feeds the harmful bacteria on teeth, and creates acid that erodes enamel. This causes plaque and ultimately cavities, which is why you should limit the number of sugary foods and drinks your child consumes. Unfortunately, most of your kid’s favorite drinks from Starbucks are absolutely LOADED with sugar.

The American Heart Association recommends children limit their daily sugar intake to less than 26 grams per day, and adults should have less than 36 grams per day. Unfortunately, most of the items on Starbucks’ menu far exceed 30 grams of sugar – even if the drink is a “small” (tall) on the menu.

What about the Kids Menu? 

Starbucks has a kid’s menu that features drinks with less sugar and caffeine than their other beverages. But, don’t be fooled: each drink contains at least 25 grams of sugar, and the steamed apple juice has a whopping 50 grams of sugar. If you choose to get your child a beverage from Starbucks, go with a hot, decaffeinated tea and a little bit of honey.

The Worst Offenders:

1 - ANY Frappuccino 

One of the most popular drinks aimed at kids, Frappuccinos are absolutely loaded with sugar, each of which contains AT LEAST 50 grams of sugar per drink. Frappuccinos come in a variety of flavors, but each of them contains far more sugar than your child needs to consume in one day.

2 – Iced White Chocolate Mocha 

Another iced drink, the Iced White Chocolate Mocha contains 54 grams of sugar per drink, which is far too much sugar for one drink to contain. That’s because white chocolate is made with vanilla, and sweetened with sugar when it’s processed. 

3 - Cinnamon Dolce Crème 

Here’s an item from the kid’s menu that is terrible for teeth. The Cinnamon Dolce Crème doesn’t have caffeine, but it is loaded with sugar at 28 grams of sugar in a tall drink, and 37 grams in a grande.

Make Starbucks a Special Treat 

It can be easier for parents to justify getting a black cup of coffee everyday from Starbucks, but most of the drinks intended for children are loaded with sugar, and should be seen more like milkshakes and less like coffee. Since their favorite drinks are like milkshakes, then treat them that way and limit the number of drinks they purchase from Starbucks to once per week. If your child regularly enjoys beverages that are loaded with sugar, then they are more susceptible to cavities and their overall health can suffer.  

Cavities are the most prevalent disease affecting children in the United States, but cavities are nearly 100% preventable. Here are some of the worst activities for teeth that can lead to cavities.

1 - Not Brushing Twice Per Day 

Avoiding cavities begins with proper, routine oral care. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that everyone brushes their teeth twice per day, for two minutes each session. By brushing for the proper amount of time, you help ensure that your child is cleaning all of the bad bacteria off of their teeth and preventing cavities. Be sure that they brush the entire surface of their teeth, including the backs of teeth – which is often neglected. 

2 - Too Much Sugar 

We all know that too much sugar can cause tooth decay. But how does it work? When you consume sugar, bad bacteria in your mouth feeds off of it and create acids that destroy tooth enamel. Try limiting the amount of sugar your child eats to keep their enamel strong and prevent cavities. Additionally, reduce the amount of starchy carbs that they consume (like bread and chips) to keep teeth strong. When left in the mouth for too long, starchy carbs eventually turn into sugar and fuel bad bacteria.

A good place to start cutting back on sugar intake is in the beverages that your child enjoys. Try to avoid fruit juice, sports drinks and colas, which all contain a high amount of sugar.

3 - Not Enough Water 

Did you know that fruit juices contain about as much sugar as a bottle of cola? If your child is drinking too much fruit juice – or anything other than water – then it is providing sugary fuel that cavities need to thrive.

Water is one of the best things for a healthy mouth. Did you know that saliva is 99% water, or that saliva is critical in the fight against cavities? This makes it imperative that your child drinks plenty of water so that they can keep their enamel strong, and stay cavity-free. By drinking enough water, your child can avoid dry mouth and ensure that their saliva is produced at an optimal rate. 

Fight Cavities with Proper Dental Care 

Your child should visit our dental office once every six months for a routine checkup. This checkup allows us to get ahead of any oral health issues that may be occurring, and helps them maintain a healthier smile that lasts a lifetime.

It can be difficult to communicate the importance of oral health to your young child, and get them excited about visiting the dentist. But, some of our favorite books about teeth will help ease your child’s oral health anxiety, and just so happen to make excellent holiday gifts for children.

1 - What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist     

A lot of children experience quite a bit of anxiety when they first visit the dentist, and this books seeks to help with that. “What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist” teaches children about the dentist’s job, and helps children overcome their fear of visiting the dentist. This book does a great job of explaining dental tools, and the importance of regular dental checkups.

2 - Brush Your Teeth, Please  

This fun book teaches children about proper dental hygiene through beautiful, animal popups. The book features a lion brushing his teeth, a shark flossing, and has interactive, moving elements that kids love. Your child will enjoy reading this popup book, and learning about proper oral care from some of their favorite animals.

3 - Bear’s Loose Tooth

Losing a tooth can be a hard experience for a child, but “Bear’s Loose Tooth” teaches children that losing a tooth isn’t all that bad. This book is easy to read for children, and is written in an extended nursery rhyme – making it fun for parents to read aloud with their kids.

4 - Sugar Bugs 

Sugar Bugs is a fantastic, educational book that teaches kids about how sugar can harm teeth, and how to avoid the nasty sugar bugs! This book covers the importance of a healthy diet, and how a dentist can help keep sugar bugs away! It’s a light-hearted and fun way to introduce children to cavities and proper oral health. 

Give Oral Health This Season

The holidays can be hectic, but the break offers families a perfect time to visit the pediatric dentist. Schedule an appointment with our office so that we can evaluate your child’s oral health, and help give them a healthy mouth this holiday season.

Your children have probably made their winter holiday wish list very well known to you, but they probably haven’t asked for gifts that can improve their oral health. With that in mind, here are our favorite holiday gifts for healthy teeth. 

An Electric Toothbrush 

Electric toothbrushes are handy tools for teeth of all ages, and can make brushing fun for young children. Most electric toothbrushes also feature timers, which can help ensure that children brush for the recommended two minutes per session. Additionally, many electric toothbrushes feature a pressure sensor that helps kids limit how hard they are brushing to prevent upsetting or damaging their gums. An electric toothbrush is an excellent Christmas gift for young brushers that can help take their brushing to the next level. 

A Mouth Guard for Spring Sports 

Mouth guards – sometimes called mouth protectors – work by helping cushion a blow to the face, and minimizing the risk of breaking teeth, or lacerating a lip, tongue or cheek. The CDC estimates that more than 3 million teeth are knocked out at youth sporting events. Mouth guards work to prevent tooth loss and other facial injuries. Mouth guards come in all shapes and sizes, so visit our office and ask which type of mouth guard works best for your young athlete. Mouth guards make great stocking stuffers, and most are adequate for any sport your child can play. 

Oral Health Travel Kit 

Is your family traveling this winter holiday? If so, it’s important to prepare your family with individual oral health travel kits. A travel-sized mouth care kit will encourage your children to keep taking care of their teeth while away from home and the familiarity of their bathroom. We suggest buying a small toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss for each family member on the trip. You can pack your dental travel kit on top of your clothes so that it’s the first thing you see when you get to your destination. We also suggest making sure you make time for your family to take care of their teeth while on vacation.

Fun Oral Health Book For Kids:  What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist 

A lot of children experience quite a bit of anxiety when they first visit the dentist, and this book seeks to help with that. “What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist” teaches children about the dentist’s job, and helps children overcome their fear of visiting the dentist. This book does a great job of explaining dental tools, and the importance of regular dental checkups, and makes for an excellent Christmas gift or stocking stuffer.

Visit Our Office This Holiday Break 

The winter holiday break is a great time to schedule your child for a routine checkup in our office. Visiting our office during the holidays is a great way to get their appointment in without interfering during their busy school schedule.