Basics of Oral Health 2: Water for Thirst

Basics of Oral Health 2: Water for Thirst

Goal: Children and families will understand that water helps to keep teeth healthy, and will drink water at school and at home.

Big Bites: Things You Should Know

  • Water is the best drink to keep your teeth and body healthy.
  • Water may contain fluoride, a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities.
  • Drinking juice or soda throughout the day causes repeated acid attacks. Repeated acid attacks cause cavities.
  • Juice and soda pop have a lot of sugar in them and no nutritional value. Replace them with water!
  • When baby breastfeeds or sleeps with a bottle of milk, the sugars stay on the teeth while the baby sleeps. This gives the germs time to attack and weaken the teeth and make cavities. If a baby goes to bed with a bottle, fill it only with water.
  • Encourage children to drink water for thirst in between meals and at snack time. This will help prevent cavities.