Few things beat the crack of an Easter egg and indulging in chocolaty heaven. However, it’s easy to lose track of the often unnoticed amount of sugar a child can gobble up over one weekend.
On average, UK children reportedly receive around eight Easter eggs each year and this can quickly push them over their daily sugar limits. It’s therefore important to be aware of how much sugar they consume and the potential impact on their teeth. Here are GP Dr Marion Sloan’s tips to support your child’s oral health while still enjoying a sweet treat this Easter.
Ensure they brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
When the teeth start to erupt, introduce your child to a kid’s toothpaste containing fluoride using just a tiny pea-sized amount of toothpaste. After brushing, don’t rinse the toothpaste away. It’s particularly important to pay attention to your child’s brushing, with the combination of milk and adult teeth increasing the chance of tooth decay.
Leave at least 30 minutes after eating acidic foods before brushing
While everyone loves breaking into a delicious chocolate egg, 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.
Replace high sugar easter eggs with healthier surprises
Outdoor play gifts like a skipping rope, football or bubble wand, or creative presents like paint sets last longer than a single sugar. They also support children’s physical activity, creativity and connection with nature.
Ensure they “clean between” their teeth once a day
I recommend DenTek’s Kids Fun Flossers (you can get them in Boots), as they’re designed especially for smaller mouths and little hands. This helps children get to those tricky in‑between spaces while they’re still learning a good technique. The colourful picks are shaped to make flossing easier and more fun. They also use a gentle textured wild‑fruit‑flavoured, fluoride‑coated floss to help remove food debris and plaque.
If eating sweet treats, it’s better to eat them in one sitting
My advice is to eat Easter eggs as a dessert if possible, as this gives your mouth a 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 chocolate to help reduce acidity.
