WIN DenTek Summer Bundle

Is there any sound that evokes the feeling of summer more than that of the local ice cream van jingle? Few things beat cooling off with a sweet, fruity ice lolly and savouring every last drop after a blissful day playing in the sun.

‍

However, it’s easy to lose track of the often unnoticed amount of sugar a child can consume and not all lollies are created equal. A Mini Milk contains 2.8g of sugar (not too bad) but a Calippo (a firm favourite) contains a whopping 20g!

‍

While everyone loves an ice lolly on a hot day, they’re not so loved by teeth. The main problem is the high sugar content that stays in contact with teeth for a prolonged period as they melt. This sugar leads to acid build-up that can erode tooth enamel and increase sensitivity. 

‍

Hygienist Hannah Ripley recommends opting for healthier sweet options like homemade lollies. Try frozen banana or yogurt lollies topped with a drizzle of chocolate or even fruit tea bag-infused lollies for a light but fruity treat. 

‍

“Children can still enjoy their summery treats but it’s important to be aware of how much sugar they are consuming and the potential impact on their teeth. My advice is to eat lollies as a dessert if possible as this gives your mouth chance to neutralise the acid in one sitting with a meal. It can also help to give your child a glass of water after eating a lolly to help reduce acidity”. 

‍

Here are Hannah’s Top 5 Tips to support children’s oral health while still enjoying a sweet treat this summer:

‍

1. Ensure children brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
2. Leave at least 30 minutes after eating acidic foods before brushing to avoid eroding the tooth enamel
3. Replace high-sugar lollies with healthier options such as homemade fruit tea or frozen banana lollies
4. Introduce interdental cleaning when 2 teeth touch between the ages of 2 and 6 and ensure children “clean between” once a day
5. If eating sweet treats, it’s better to eat them in one sitting rather than spreading them out throughout the day and increasing acid contact with teeth

‍

Did you know 77% of tooth decay starts between the teeth but a toothbrush alone cleans just 60%* of the tooth? To hit the other surface areas that the toothbrush can't reach, the importance of adding interdental cleaning cannot be overstated.

Oral hygiene products such as DenTek’s floss picks and interdental brushes are vital and can be introduced at an early age. In fact, dentists recommend children start interdental cleaning as soon as two teeth are touching using. As regular flossing products are sometimes difficult for children to use, it is recommended that they use interdental products designed specifically for children and under supervision (dentek-eu.com).

‍

Good Luck!

‍

T&C's apply. See our terms on the website.

Prize Provider : DenTek

‍

‍

‍