How Much Juice is Safe According to the American Dental Association?

Posted on 4/10/2020 by Fariba Mutschler

Did you know that a single glass of apple juice can contain as much sugar as a glass of soda? Of course, we all know that sugar is not good for our bodies, and it's very harmful to our teeth. But what about juice for children?

Not So Good For You

Just because a juice has the label 'healthy' or 'all natural' does not necessarily mean that it's good for your child. According to the USDA, sugar should not make up more than 10% of your daily intake of calories. That means that all people, not just children, over age 3 should have no more than 12.5 teaspoons of sugar per day; the equivalent to a can of soda. Juice is very high in sugar and calories, and we encourage you to read the labels and compare. Keep in mind that labels will list the sugar in grams, and 1 teaspoon of sugar is the same as 4 grams.

So, No Juice?

Children over the age of 12 months can have juice from time to time as long as you follow a couple of guidelines and know the limits. Children between the ages of 1 and 6 may have up to 4 to 6 ounces of juice per day. For children aged 7-18, that amount increases slightly to 8 to 12 ounces. Limit the amount of juice your child is permitted to consume and always suggest water, milk, unsweetened tea, or plain sparkling water as an alternative. If you do give your child juice, try watering it down. Eliminating or greatly reducing the amount of sugar your child consumes greatly reduces their risk for tooth decay. The bacteria in their mouths will not have enough fuel to begin eroding the enamel and causing problems for their oral health. Make sure to schedule regular cleanings with us and don't forget to brush twice a day!

My daughter was a little nervous to have her dental work done but everyone in the office was super friendly and very reassuring and that helped her nervousness go away. Thanks for the excellent dental experience. ~ Lilyana G.

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Our Dental Blog | Great Grins Pediatric Dentistry - Portland, OR
Dr. Fariba Mutschler & Dr. Mark Mutschler have created this informative blog to help educate the community. If you like an article or the dental blog in general please use the share it button to post to Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
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