Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Sippy Cups Linked to Cavities

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention compared the dental health of Americans from two periods: 1988-1994 and 1999-2002. The result: a 15.2 percent increase in cavities among 2- to 5-year-olds. More research shows that nearly one-third of toddlers with tooth decay used sippy cups. Thus, a few tips from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:

• The sippy cup should not be used for long periods of time.
• Unless being used at mealtime, it should be filled only with water.
• Sippy cups should not be used at nap time or bedtime unless they have only water in them.
• Schedule regular visits with a pediatric dentist to help keep your child cavity-free.

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