EASTER is just around the corner, that time of the year when chocolate eggs and chocolate bunnies are on display in every supermarket across Ireland.

 

We’re already licking our lips but it is important that we don’t forget about our oral health, writes Eileen McGlinchey, founder of Smileyeileey’s Oral Health Promotions.

 

Some Easter eggs contain large amounts of sugar which can be very harmful to our teeth and especially children’s teeth as the enamel on children teeth is much thinner than that on adult’s teeth, hence more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. 

 

The recommended daily allowance of added sugar a day for children aged four to six-years-old should be no more than 19 grams a day, while children aged seven to ten-years-old should have no more than 24 grams.

 

A standard-sized Creme Egg alone contains 26.5 grams of sugar, an extra large Yorkie chocolate egg contains 124 grams of sugar. That is a staggering 31 teaspoons of the sweet stuff.

 

Children often end up with a stash of several Easter eggs of various sizes: In Ireland, 23 per-cent of children will get between six and ten eggs, while 12 per-cent will take proud delivery of ten to 15 eggs. Letting a child eat such a large amount of sugary product in one or a few days is a constant attack of sugar on their teeth. It’s not how much sugar we eat but how often we eat it and our oral hygiene regime that affects the general health of our teeth. 

 

Here are a few tips when choosing those Easter eggs:

 

Dark chocolate is often a better choice as it can contain less sugar than other chocolate options. For the least added sugar, choose dark chocolatewhich has the added health bonus of antioxidants.

 

Try not to go for the biggest egg you can possibly find and try not to get an egg that comes with an additional array of treats. Stick to a smaller-sized eggs.

 

Toffees and hard sweets are out in full force at Easter and they can pull out fillings as well as getting stuck between your teeth so aren’t ideal Easter treats.

 

Limiting the time sugar is on your teeth is the most effective control.

Eating some Easter egg straight after a meal is much better than snacking on chocolate between meal times. So the old advice of ‘don’t eat it all at once’ is incorrect, eating the sweet treat all at once is actually much better for teeth.

 

Snack on foods such as cheese, celery, carrot or apple after chocolate as this stimulates the production of saliva which is beneficial for teeth and will help to neutralise the acids that cause tooth decay. Sugar Free gum is also good for this

 

Children love activities like decorating polystyrene eggs and Easter bonnets. 

Going for a walk to count Easter bunnies is popular with younger children and treasure hunts with small gifts rather than chocolate eggs are always a hit. This could last many hours, which otherwise would have been spent consuming large amounts of chocolate.

 

Drink plenty of water if indulging in Easter treats, instead of fizzy drinks and sugary juices, as they are very acidic and is one of the prime causes of tooth erosion.

Water will help to wash away the sugars that create acids and cause decay. 

 

Be sure to brush your  teeth correctly for the recommended  two minutes twice a day.

Wait at least 30 minutes after you eat before brushing your teeth as some foods contain acids which weaken tooth enamel. Brushing too soon after eating them can damage the enamel in its weakened state. Brush, floss and use mouthwash and encourage your children to do the same. (A fun range of kids oral health products can be found at www.smileyeileey.ie)

 

 

Eileen McGlinchey adds, “I hope these tips will keep damage to the minimum, just remember to read the chocolate products’ labels, indulge in moderation and limit your kids’ chocolate intake not just over Easter but on a regular basis. Instilling good oral health habits early in life will benefit your children.”