If your child has outgrown his bottle, you may want to let him use a sippy cup until he can handle a regular glass. But be aware that this could increase his risk of cavities. According to a recent study in the Journal of Dentistry for Children, almost one-third of toddlers with tooth decay problems are sippy cup users. When toddlers drink from these cups, the drinking spout soaks the six upper front teeth in the beverage, and if the drink is sugary, this raises susceptibility to dental cavities. The Chicago-based American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to follow these recommendations:
- Use sippy cups only as a short-term transition to regular cups.
- Avoid the all-day sip ‘n’ play syndrome: allow your child to use a sippy cup only for snacks and at meals.
- Have children drink sugary drinks through a straw that bypasses the front teeth (some sippy cups come with flexible straws).
