As children across the country have returned to school this week, we wanted to make sure that any bad habits which have developed during lockdown are changed as a more normal routine returns. Many of us have understandably let children graze on foods which are bad for them over the last few months. It’s been difficult on them not seeing friends, enjoy their normal outdoor time and also having to sit at a table at home while being home-schooled. So, rewarding them more frequently or letting them raid the cookie jar seemed like an easy reward or distraction. It’s very similar to summer holidays when it was found that children end up consuming up to five times more sugar than they would do at any other time of the year.
All this snacking can have a detrimental effect on our children’s mouths, and with Easter just around the corner it’s likely they’ll be back to eating more sweet treats soon. If they are indulging in unhealthy snacks, make sure that plenty of water is consumed to rinse the mouths of sticky food particles and sugar. Of course, the most important thing to do is make sure they brush twice a day for at least two minutes. There are apps nowadays with fun games and music to ensure they brush for the correct time, simply search the app store on your phone.
The damage which is done to children’s teeth by sugar can cause long term effects to their dental health and indeed overall health, so as they return to school it’s worth paying close attention to what goes into their lunchbox. Be on the lookout for hidden sugar, many ‘healthy’ yoghurt drinks and smoothies which boast of being full of vitamins are actually crammed full of sugar, one we recently saw had three times more than a well known cola beverage.
If you have concerns that the oral health of your child(ren) has been impacted over the lockdown period by an increase in sugar consumption, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at London Holistic Dental Centre. Contact us on 020 7487 5221 if you have any worries about your child’s (or your own) oral health.
