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'S STORY: "this can't be happening
$
Lynn, with daughter Megan
"I'm the mother of six children. Over the years,
I've seen pictures of children's teeth black with
decay and wondered what kind of mother
would allow that to happen to her child. Last
week I took my three-year-old daughter, Megan,
to the dentist and learned that I was that kind of
mother! Juice had stripped the enamel from five
of her teeth. Her beautiful smile is now spoiled
with ugly silver caps.
My first reaction was, "Oh, my. How did that
happen? This can't be happening to my
daughter." I was hysterical at the dentist's office
and cried for two days.
I wondered how this would change Megan's life.
Would she be shy, afraid of smiling at others
because of her teeth? Would her sweet
personality change? Would she hide from others
in her embarrassment? I wondered what I could
have done differently - and then I cried again.
Megan was almost two when her brother was
born. Giving her a bottle filled with juice allowed
me time to juggle both children. And she loved
juice! I knew it wasn't good for her, but I didn't
think too much about it. After all, nothing had
happened to my older children. And it was easier
to give in to her whining and screaming than to
say, "No more juice." Now I'm paying the price
for those few quiet moments - and so is
Megan. I wish I had remained strong.
to my daughter."
I love Megan. I will do whatever it takes to get
through this. I'm giving her water now when
she's thirsty. But plain water can't compete with
juice - yet. I make it fun by adding ice, offering
it in a fun cup, and adding a straw. And no soda.
It's milk at meals - even when eating out.
Not a day goes by that I don't look at Megan's
smile and think about what happened. I tell
everyone what I learned the hard way: little
actions over time make a big difference. And
yes, it can happen to you."
LYNN'S LIST: how to protect your child's smile
" Eliminate a bottlefeeding every few days.
Do it slowly.
" Don't let your child take the bottle to
bed, crawl with it, or walk with it.
" Always hold your child when giving them
a bottle.
" Offer a cup with meals.
" Gradually offer more in the cup and less
in the bottle.
" Keep sweetened liquids like juice and
soda out of bottles.
" If your child won't go to sleep without a
bottle, fill it with water.
" Offer water instead of juice.
" Wipe your child's teeth with a wet cloth
or small toothbrush after meals.
" Help your child brush their teeth at least
until they can tie their shoes.
Visit our website at Texas .org
T E X A le
Smart Choices - Healthy Families
Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program.
Cover photography by Michael Young www.yamstudio.com
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
2015 Department of State Health Services. Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.
Stock No. 13-06-12896 Rev. 08/15
" . TEXAS
Departmentof
State Health Services
LYNN
I
