Sippy cups and your child's teeth Published Feb. 13, 2013 By Staff Reports 52nd Dental Squadron SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Did you know that as soon as teeth appear in one's mouth, decay can occur? One of the risk factors for Early Childhood Caries, sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay, is frequent and prolonged exposure of a child's teeth to liquids such as fruit juice, milk or formula, which all contain sugar. Early Childhood Caries can occur when a child is put to bed with a bottle or is allowed to drink from a Sippy cup for prolonged periods of time. Because of this risk factor, parents are encouraged to wean their children off Sippy cups by their first birthday and schedule a baby dental checkup. It is beneficial for the first dental visit to occur within six months of the appearance of the first tooth, and no later than a child's first birthday. The 52nd Dental Squadron is hosting an upcoming Children's Walk-In Clinic, March 22 starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Spangdahlem Dental Clinic. No appointments are needed and children up to age 13 can receive a dental exam and cleaning. For more information, or to schedule a baby dental examination, contact the dental clinic at 452-8193.