Did you know that sugar free fizzy drinks can still damage your teeth? Here are some interesting facts and top tips on how to protect your children’s teeth!
One of the most important things to remember is that it’s not just the amount of sugar you eat or drink that causes tooth decay, but also how often you have those sugary foods and drinks.
Quitting fizzy drinks: Fizzy drinks are the largest single source of sugar consumption for children aged 11-18, and they provide an average of 29% of daily sugar intake – cutting them out for a month is an easy way to reduce sugar intake and to help encourage a reduced intake for the rest of the year, by switching to healthier alternatives.
Sugar-free fizz is still bad for teeth: The fizz in sugar-free drinks is still acidic, and can cause tooth erosion, so it’s much better to switch to tooth-friendly alternatives like water, milk, or a small serving of fruit juice – but this is best consumed with a meal, to avoid the erosive acidity of the fruit juice.
Reduce sugary snacks: the risk of developing tooth decay increases as the amount and frequency of sugar consumption rises.
Brush twice a day: keeping teeth clean by regular brushing helps prevent decay. Children’s brushing should be supervised until the age of seven. Ask your dentist for more advice.
Use a fluoride toothpaste: all children up to three years old should use a toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1000ppm, both morning and night. From three to six years old, their toothpaste should contain more than 1000ppm. For children six years and older, the recommended amount is between 1350ppm-1500ppm.
Watch out for ‘hidden’ sugars: pure fruit juices can be a healthy choice, but the natural sugars these contain can still damage teeth. If you are offering fruit juice, drink it with a meal and only in a small glass (up to 150ml).
Visit the dentist on a regular basis: ask your dentist how often you should visit and keep your appointments, if oral health problems are spotted early, then they can often be dealt with much easier. Your dentist can answer any questions you have about the best way to look after your child’s teeth.
Back to Blog