I’ve actually wondered about that—my oldest started daycare at 18 months, and I didn’t notice a spike in cavities. We were pretty strict about brushing and snacks, though. I’m not sure daycare itself is the culprit... maybe it’s just more exposure to sugary foods or less supervision? It’s tricky to pin down.
I’m not sure daycare itself is the culprit... maybe it’s just more exposure to sugary foods or less supervision?
That’s exactly what I was thinking. My youngest went to a smaller in-home daycare, and honestly, we lucked out—they were pretty careful about snacks and even let me pack our own. But I’ve heard from friends that some bigger places give out juice boxes or cookies a lot. Did your daycare let you control what your kid ate, or was it more set? I always wonder how much that stuff really adds up, especially since dental visits aren't cheap...
It’s wild how much those little snacks can sneak up on you. I see a lot of parents who are shocked when their toddler has a cavity, and honestly, it’s usually not because anyone’s being careless—it’s just so easy for sugar to slip in, especially in group settings like daycare. Juice boxes are a big one… they seem innocent but are basically liquid sugar. Same with those “healthy” fruit snacks.
When my niece was in daycare, my sister thought she was doing great with food, but then she found out they were giving out animal crackers and juice almost every afternoon. Not the end of the world, but it does add up over time, especially if brushing isn’t happening right after. Some places are really good about letting parents pack snacks, but others have a set menu and it’s harder to control.
I get why parents worry about the cost of dental visits—baby teeth seem so temporary, but fixing them isn’t cheap. Honestly, I wish more daycares were open to letting parents have more say in snack choices. It’d save a lot of headaches (and toothaches) down the line.
That’s honestly my biggest worry—thinking I’m doing everything right but missing something at daycare or with snacks. It’s wild how fast those “healthy” treats add up. I actually didn’t realize juice boxes were so sugary until recently… felt a bit blindsided. I wish there was more transparency with what’s being served, too. Makes me super anxious about my kid’s first dental appointment, but hearing others go through it helps.
I totally get the anxiety around snacks and daycare—honestly, “healthy” snacks are such a minefield. I used to think fruit gummies were basically fruit… until I actually read the label. Juice boxes are sneaky, too. It’s wild how much sugar gets packed in under the “all natural” banner. I wish daycares had to post snack menus or something, but I guess that’s wishful thinking. My kid’s first dental visit, I half-expected them to find a mouthful of cavities just from all those “treats.” It’s nerve-wracking, but at least we’re catching on early, right?
