Most parents understand that eating chocolate and sweet things is likely to cause decay and cavities but few people realise just how common the problem is particularly in children of school age. The fact is though, as children get older and begin to attend school, what they have in their snack and lunch breaks is one of the biggest causes of childhood dental problems.

It’s not just the sticky sweets and bars of chocolate that are drilling little holes in children’s teeth. When we give our children squash and juice as a drink for school we’re actually introducing an enormous quantity of sugar.

But it’s not all bad news. There are some simple steps to avoid cavities in your children’s teeth. Here are our top tips at Jade Dental Practice:

• Brush teeth twice a day with a ‘smear’ for 0-3 years or ‘pea size’ for 3+ years of fluoride toothpaste
• SPIT OUT toothpaste. DO NOT RINSE it away!
• For the best protection use toothpaste containing:
  No less than 1000ppmF for 0-3 years and 1350-1500 ppmF for 3+ years (Look at the contents list on the tube or packet for this figure)
• Drink only WATER or MILK between meals, not squash or fruit juice
• Food and drinks that contain sugar eaten between meals will damage teeth. Keep sugar and fruit juice to mealtimes only
• Make healthy food choices and eat ‘five a day’ portions of fruit and vegetables
• Visit the dentist regularly for check- ups and don’t forget to collect your sticker!