Our nurse Emma has recently qualified as an Oral Health Educator and here gives her top tips on what children should eat and drink to maintain healthy teeth and smiles!
“I know from having two children my self they are like monsters when it comes to eating and always hungry 🙈
Most parents/carers are now home schooling their children. This means they will be in a different routine to the one they have known from school.
As a Oral Health Educator it’s important for me to get the message across that we as parents/carers need to make sure our children stick to a healthy diet when it comes to snacking at home.
Food and drink containing sugar should only be consumed at meal times only. This helps protect the health of the teeth and keep decay away.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snack
One healthy snack
Water is the is the safest drink to have though out the day and keep squash and fruit juices to meal times only .
I have attached some great tips which I have sourced from the British Dental Association’s booklet for children “What to eat and drink for healthy teeth”
- Ideally food that contain sugars should only be eaten when children have a main meal.
- Most breakfast cereals contain lots of added sugars. Cereals such as porridge or shredded wheat are better – but don’t add any sugar to them.
- Sugary and fizzy drinks are bad for your teeth.
- Always read the label on low sugar drinks. They may contain hidden sugars.
- Take care with ‘healthy options’ due to hidden sugars. Smoothies and fruit juices are good for you but drink them only at meal times, and through a straw.
- Water or milk are the best things to drink between meals.
- Tooth bacteria is caused by sugar and bacteria. Good oral hygiene and a good diet work together to keep your teeth healthy and happy.
- Never give young children anything other than water or milk in a baby bottle.
Things that are bad for teeth:
- Fizzy drinks
- Sports drinks
- Biscuits
- Chocolate
- Dried fruit
- Cake
- Sweets
- Fruit juice
- Jams and spreads
Emma Mortimer, Dental Nurse and Oral Health Educator
