We need to kick our sugar habit because there are still too many children having bad teeth removed in our hospitals, and obesity is an increasing health problem.
The tax begins that will help us to curb our sugar intake.
No longer are we just being told it’s our responsibility to exercise caution in what we buy, eat and drink, and exercise instead of lying around on the couch. From today, manufacturers of sugary drinks will be held to account too with the new two-tier levy for drinks containing over 5g/100ml and over 8g/100ml.
To avoid the tax, makers have been rethinking their recipes, mostly with artificial sweeteners. Who knows what sort of a bad taste it will leave in our mouths? Is that a future problem?
Really it’s down to us, and we are kicking our sugar habit.
Public Health England has campaigned with Change4Life to encourage us to re-think our diets and be responsible consumers (in both senses of the word).
- we’re exercising more
- sales of bottled water are increasing
- we’ve learned to read manufacturers labels
Tips to help our children future-proof their teeth.
Parents can:
- supervise tooth brushing twice a day
- shop for healthy meals
- make sure there are ‘good’ snacks on hand (carrots, almonds, rice cakes)
- avoid replacing sugar with salt
- offer milk and water as drinks
- bring babies to the dentist as soon as the first tooth comes through, and before turning a year old
- bring all children to the dentist every six months (or more often if the dentist recommends)
- speak positively about dental experiences
- show courage at the dentists ourselves
- help them not to get sugar habits!
SpaDental practices encourage preventive dentistry.
We want to help you to have great oral health for life! Please don’t hesitate to ask us for advice about how to care for your teeth, and your family’s.