The state of children’s teeth is getting worse by the day, which is why parents should not let occasions like Easter cause further problems to their oral health.
Earlier this month, the government revealed more than one in ten three-year-olds had visible tooth decay, and 90 per cent of tooth extractions in kids up to the age of five are preventable.
Therefore, while everyone likes to indulge at Easter and fill up on chocolate eggs, it is important to continue to practise good oral hygiene.
While you might not be able to avoid giving your kids chocolate altogether, there are some things you could do to limit the impact of so much sugar on their teeth. For instance, you could give them low-sugar, sugar-free or dark chocolate eggs instead of milk or white chocolates, as these have a much lower sugar content.
Less damage is caused to teeth if chocolate treats are eaten with meals instead of frequently throughout the day. This is because acid is produced during the consumption of sugary snacks, and it takes an hour for salvia to neutralise it. If sugar is consumed in between, the body does not have enough time to do this before another acid attack occurs.
It is also wise to drink a glass of water when eating chocolate eggs, as this will remove some of the sugar from the teeth. When it comes to cleaning, wait at least half an hour after eating to brush them. The acid produced by the sugar strips enamel from the teeth, so brushing straightaway will weaken them, whereas waiting for salvia to neutralise the acid means they can harden again before being brushed.
Saving treats till Easter Sunday is also sensible, otherwise they could end up eating an excessive amount of chocolate for the next few weeks leading up to it!
Keeping on top of your children’s oral health is essential, especially at this time of the year. So book an appointment at your NHS dentist in Ashton Under Lyne to check their teeth are in good condition before spoiling them with chocolates this Easter.