It’s the Easter holidays and everyone is egg-cited (sorry!) for Easter Egg Hunts, hot cross buns and of course, indulging on plenty of Easter Eggs. In the UK, over 80 million chocolate Easter eggs are sold each year and the average child will consume an astounding £24 worth of chocolate each – that amounts to 270 teaspoons of sugar!
As we all know, sugar plays a harmful role in tooth decay. Tooth decay is prevalent in children in the UK, where 1 in 10 children aged 3+ has had decayed, missing or filled teeth because of it. How can you help your child look after their teeth during the Easter holidays?
Supervise them to brush the last thing at night and any other time during the day. This may sound like common sense, but it is astonishing how many children go to sleep without brushing their teeth. If they don’t brush, plaque can harden and calcify, and cannot be removed by brushing. This also increases the chance of tooth decay.
By cutting down on the amount of chocolate they consume, you will also limit the amount of sugar entering their mouth, and limit the chances of tooth decay.
Instead of sugary and acidic drinks, give your child water or milk to drink in between meals.
Make sure to book your child in for regular check-ups at their dentist in order to build a good relationship as early as possible so that they understand the importance of good oral health.