For children aged 1-5 years, which beverage should be limited to 4 ounces and served with meals only?

• A. Milk
• B. Juice
• C. Water
• D. Soda

Answer: (B)

Limiting juice helps reduce caries risk by minimizing exposure to fermentable sugars and acids. For children aged 1–5, keeping juice to about four ounces per day and serving it with meals limits the frequency of sugar exposure between brushing and the mouth’s natural saliva buffering, which lowers the chance of enamel demineralization. Water and milk are better daily choices—water for hydration and milk for calcium and other nutrients—so they aren’t restricted to the same small amount as juice. Soda and other sugary drinks are discouraged because their high sugar and acid content greatly increase the risk of tooth decay and enamel erosion. So, juice is the beverage to limit to four ounces and serve with meals.