Sir, – There are ways for everyone to enjoy the Samhain festival with less harmful sugar options and be conscious of the amount and frequency of the sugar they consume.
The World Health Organisation recommends no more than six teaspoons of “free sugars” per day for ages two to 18 years (approx 24g in total).
When we eat, acid is produced in our mouth to help break down the food. Carbonated drinks and sweet treats increase the acidic environment, causing an “acid attack” on gums and teeth that can lead to dental disease. The frequency of sweet snacking increases this risk, bathing teeth in sugar and giving bacteria more time to weaken enamel.
Sweets that include anything gooey and sugar-coated can stick to teeth, even dried fruit has a high sugar content! (A child’s small raisin snack box has 24g of sugar.) The usual suspects include hard chew toffees that can coat teeth, sour sweets that can erode enamel, and lollipops or sucking sweets that take a longer time to dissolve in your mouth. Better treat options include popcorn, chocolate (dark is even better), which has less sugar and is easier to brush off teeth than sticky candy, or a piece of fresh fruit!
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Parents can encourage children to eat their sweet stash over several weeks, at mealtimes, when other foods can help wash away sugar and bacteria along with a cup of water to clean their mouth as they go. Chocolate is also great in the freezer, so no need to eat it all at once. And don’t forget a good brush and floss before bedtime to keep the sugar monsters away! Happy Halloween. – Yours, etc,
ORLAITH KENNEDY,
Chief executive officer,
Dental Health Foundation Ireland.