Don’t over-egg it this Easter
Chief Dental Officer Barry Cockcroft offers advice on treating the kids this weekend…
A whopping 80 million Easter eggs will be eaten over the Easter period, proving once and for all that the nation has a truly sweet tooth. But are we looking after our children’s teeth as we dish out the chocolate treats?
The overall picture is positive: in 1973, 93% of 12 year olds had tooth decay, yet by 2003 the figure had fallen to a historic low of 38%. And in many of the locations areas which the Department of Health identified as needing to improve, new dental practices have opened.
The sugar in Easter eggs is used by bacteria to produce acid, which dissolves tooth enamel forming a hole. So, the big question is, what can you do as a parent to make sure Easter is fun while minimising the risk of decay?
The number one tip from Barry Cockcroft, the Department of Health’s Chief Dental Officer, is eat your Easter eggs straight after meal times.
More generally, Mr Cockroft recommends:
o Reduce the number of times each day you or your kids eat sugary food or drinks and try as much as possible to keep sugary things to meal times.
o Brush at least twice a day with a family strength fluoridated toothpaste.
o Check the tube for a fluoride content of at least 1,000 parts per million. Fluoride strengthens the enamel against sugar acid attack.
o Ensure that fluoride remains in contact with the surface of your teeth by not rinsing your mouth after brushing.
o Visit a dentist for a periodic check up. Your dentist will tell you how often you need to go. You may need to see a dentist less frequently than you think, as it is dependent on your risk of dental disease.
o Ask your dentist whether your child would benefit from having fluoride varnish painted on their teeth. This has been shown to be a very effective of reducing the risk of dental decay.
o An electric toothbrush with a rotating head has been shown to be the most effective way of keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
o Flossing helps to dislodge food wedged between your teeth and may help to reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque from areas where the toothbrush can’t reach. Take about 5 cms (2 inches) of floss between your hands and move it backwards and forwards between the teeth and gently down towards your gums.
For more information visit
www.nhs.uk/Pages/homepage.aspx or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647
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Press Release distributed by www.markettiers4dc.com
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