Sugar and children’s oral health

Are you aware of hidden sugars? A recent study showed that 21% children under the age of 5 in Cornwall are starting school with fillings, tooth decay and missing teeth!

Be Snack Smart…

We all want the best for our children and sometimes what we think is a healthy snack or drink could have hidden sugars. For example, a small 300ml fruit juice carton contains the equivalent of 7 and a half teaspoons of sugar. Look into swapping fruit juice for water, low fat milk or sugar free drinks.
Dried fruit, such as raisins, stick to teeth and have a high sugar content which can cause decay. There are even some savoury foods that can catch you out. For example, one tablespoon of tomato ketchup contains 4 g of sugar which is approximately 1 teaspoon.

We all know it is impossible to eliminate all treats from your children’s diets but, where possible, try and reduce them as much as you can.
We also advise to keep sugary snacks and drinks to meal times only and to consume them in one sitting. Grazing throughout the day can be detrimental to your children’s oral health.