According to Public Health England (PHE), the average 10-year-old has consumed as much sugar in their lifetime as the recommended limit for an 18-year-old.

Needless to say, this is a warning of serious implications for these children, which in include obesity and bad oral health.

Children are consuming the equivalent of eight excess sugar cubes a day, or 2800 a year, says PHE.

Did You Know

• Virtually all snacks contain sugar or acids in some form, like fizzy drinks and even fruit juice
• Think health, and your child will also feel better – prevent fillings and gum disease and your child will also develop a strong immune system which will further protect your child from disease
• Giving your child protein with every meal means he or she will be less likely to get hungry between meals
• Sleeping slows down your body’s ability to keep your mouth clean, so don’t allow your children to eat close to bedtime

We recently discussed how sugar affects your child’s teeth and the stats above show what a bad state our children’s teeth could be in.

Here are some tips on how you can maintain healthier teeth for your children

• Milk and water are safe drinks between meals
• Provide your child with a balanced diet that includes protein such as eggs, cheese, meat or fish
• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Use the right toothpaste for your child’s age
• Show your children how to brush well and thoroughly
• Start visiting the dentist as soon as teeth come through or by their first birthday and regularly after that

Ultimately, our children are mostly unaware of the dangers of sugar and it is up to us as parents to not only educate them, but to lead by example.

If you are concerned about the health of your child’s teeth and their sugar consumption, complete the form below for a FREE consultation with Dr Tromp – we’ll walk the path with you, to ensure Dental Health for Life.