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Many dentists believe that frequent, prolonged sippy cup use contributes to toddler tooth decay. Sippy cups are an excellent tool to help ease the transition between baby bottles and regular adult drinking glasses. However, sippy cups have become so effective in preventing spills and leaks, that the majority of parents continue to use them – often well into late toddlerhood. As a consequence, cavities (often called “baby bottle cavities”) are becoming increasingly prevalent in children between the ages of two and five.

The Australian Academy of Dentistry (AAPD) advises parents to make a “well-baby” checkup with a dentist approximately six months after the first tooth has emerged. At this visit, the dentist is able to educate parents about sippy cup use and general oral care routines – as well as provide strategies for eliminating unwanted oral habits.

A sippy cup should be introduced when the child is first physically able to grasp it. Its use should be discontinued as soon as the child has enough motor control to use an adult-sized cup – usually around one year of age. Children are at risk for tooth decay as soon as the first teeth emerge from the gums, making it crucial to implement a good oral care routine as early as possible.

During the sippy cup period, dentists provide the following guidelines for parents:

1. Don’t fill sippy cups with sugary liquids (opt for water whenever possible).
2. Don’t let children sip continuously from a sippy cup (remove the cup when the child has finished drinking).
3. Don’t let the child take a sippy cup to bed (unless it contains water).
4. Don’t use sippy cups to comfort a distressed child (especially one containing sugary liquids).
5. Frequently rinse the sippy cup with water to eliminate germs.
6. If the child must drink sugary liquids, let them do it at mealtime (when saliva production is at its highest levels).

How do sippy cups cause tooth decay?

Sippy cups alone do not cause tooth decay. Oftentimes, the real problem is that parents tend to fill them with sugary, decay-promoting liquids. Examples of such liquids are: breast milk, baby formula, fruit juice, soda, and sweetened water.

Since sippy cups only emit a tiny amount of fluid at a time, the sugars in the fluids are continuously being swashed in and around the child’s teeth. Oral bacteria feed on these sugars and produce harmful oral acids. Acids attack the tooth enamel, weakening it and rendering it susceptible to decay. Sometimes cavities (caries) form between the teeth, which are hard to see. Biannual appointments with the dentist are the best way to monitor the condition of the teeth, and to ensure that cavities are not developing.

All sippy cups are not created equal. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) provides the following guidelines for choosing a good sippy cup: