Table 4.

Key themes from expert interviews (conducted in 2014).

Key themes—what the experts told us	Layman’s storyline—what it meant to families with young children
Among many parents and caregivers, there is a lack of understanding of the importance of baby teeth. The thinking is that baby teeth are expendable since children will lose them anyway	Cavities can spread from baby teeth to adult teeth, setting a child up for a lifetime of oral health challenges
Sugary beverages, especially fruit juice served in sippy cups, contribute to poor oral health in children just as much as inadequate teeth brushing	Sugar serves as fuel for bacteria that live in children’s mouths. These bacteria, when fueled by sugar, create acid that eats away at the thin enamel of children’s baby teeth, leading to cavities
Families from Mexico often do not drink tap water because of water safety issues in their native country. This practice in turn reduces exposure to fluoride and increases the consumption of sugary beverages	Tap water is safe and healthy, and the fluoride in tap water protects teeth against decay