It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. There is a cold chill in the air, the shops are full of Christmas goodies and radio stations are playing our festive favourites.
Yes, Christmas is almost here and for many people that means their dietary habits go flying out the window. Some will start the day with a bit of the bubbly in order to deal with their in-laws. Others will find it impossible to resist the lure of a mince pie with double cream. Why, some people will even be willing to tuck into a Brussel sprout voluntarily!
For children however, one of the best parts of Christmas Day will be trying to consume their weight in chocolate from their stockings and the special delivery of special selection boxes. It doesn’t matter if Santa delivers a PlayStation 4, a new football kit or Barbie doll, nothing will make their eyes light up wide as much as that mountain of sweets and chocolate.
At Cheslyn Hay Dental Practice, we want everyone to have a fun time and make memories that last a lifetime. When it comes to eating sweets and chocolate, everything is OK in moderation. Our message is simple, your eating habits may go out the window this Christmas, but please make sure you stay on top of your regular brushing routine.
A recent report uncovered that almost a quarter of British children today are starting school with rotten teeth. What’s even more disturbing is that 42,911 youngsters under the age of 18 have had multiple teeth extracted by NHS surgeons – and that number has kept steadily rising over the past five years!
That is a scandalous statistic because tooth decay is totally avoidable. England is an affluent country. We have access to a range of fluoride-based toothpastes and effective toothbrushes. Unfortunately, we also have access to a world of fizzy pop and sweets that are highly addictive and can wreak havoc on youngsters’ teeth.
Education is key when it comes to protecting our pearly whites and we like to believe that everyone knows we should brush our teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. Reducing the amount of sugar we consume will also limit the chances of tooth decay.
If you are a parent, please be aware of the long-term effects tooth decay can have on your children. It can reduce their confidence, impact on their ability to eat and affect the way they communicate with others. By all means, let them enjoy a bit of chocolate but just keep an eye on how much they are eating and ensure they keep brushing those teeth. The last thing we want is for your Christmas to be ruined by having toothache.
If you have any concerns about your children’s teeth, please contact Cheslyn Hay Dental Surgery.
Merry Christmas!
