We’re here to help you and your family understand how to take good care of your teeth.
Sugar’s impact on teeth
Sugary snacks and fizzy drinks can have a damaging impact on our teeth, especially for children.
Harmful bacteria, also known as plaque, feeds on sugar and creates acids which can become bacterial infections when left on the teeth.
This can damage the outer layer of a tooth, called the enamel. Plus, the bacteria can turn into cavities, also called tooth decay — an infectious disease which reaches the tooth’s deeper layers and creates a hole.
Top tips for preventing tooth decay
- Choose sugar-free medicines
- Try to cut back on fizzy drinks (even the sugar-free ones are acidic) and encourage your children to drink more water
- Look out for ‘hidden sugars’ in pure fruit juices and dried fruit
- Avoid giving out sweets as rewards – try DIY snack ideas instead
- Make sure your little ones are brushing their teeth properly, the NHS has got a helpful guide we’ve linked to below
