Children are having nearly three times more sugar than they should. Too much sugar can lead to an internal build up of harmful fat. The presence of this fat around vital organs can cause weight gain and serious diseases in the future, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
By working together, we hope to get parents and kids talking and thinking about their dental health.
Key messages:
- Be sugar smart – make healthier food and drink choices by swapping out sugar.
- Visit the dentist regularly – parents might not realise that trips to an NHS dentist are free for pregnant women and anyone under the age of 18 (19 if in full time education).
- Brush your teeth twice a day – plus tips for tooth brushing, recommended toothpaste amounts and the positive effects of fluoride.
How to be Sugar Smart:
Here is some information you can share with parents about sugar:
- 4-6 year olds should have no more than 19g of sugar a day (5 sugar cubes)
- 7-10 year olds should have no more than 24g of sugar a day (6 sugar cubes)
- 11+ year olds should have no more than 30g of sugar a day (7 sugar cubes)
- Avoid sugary food and drinks before bedtime
- Sugary foods should be eaten less often and only at mealtimes
- Sugary drinks have no place in a child’s daily diet. The best drinks are lower fat milks and water
- Fruit and vegetable juices contain vitamins and minerals and can count as one of a child’s five a day. However, intake
should be limited to 150ml a day and should only be consumed at mealtime - Parents don’t need to worry about sugar in lower fat milks or plain low fat, lower sugar yoghurts
- Don’t replace sugary snacks with salty ones. Recommend snacks such as plain homemade popcorn or rice cakes
