February is Children’s Dental Hygiene Month

Developing your child's health habits includes making good choices when selecting beverages. Help keep them on the right track by selecting the best beverage options for optimal oral health and overall wellness.

• Choose water (be sure to check if bottled water contains fluoride) or milk (1% or nonfat for children older than 2) first and frequently.
  
• Keep the refrigerator stocked with a water jug or water bottles for easy access.
  
• Dilute juice and sport drinks with water and use a straw to reduce contact with teeth.
  
• Make sure kids do not hold or swish drinks in their mouth and encourage rinsing with water after consuming a sugary drink to minimize the drink's acidity.
  
• Try a new twist on water by adding fresh fruit slices like lemon or lime to quench your thirst or add a splash of 100% fruit juice.
• Read the nutritional label found on drinks. Added sugars may appear on the label as high fructose corn syrup, corn sweetener or corn syrup.
• Ask your dentist to check for early signs of decay such as white spots, stained fissures or brown spots.