Easter: Pediatric dentist gives advice on how to protect yourself from cavities

Easter is a festive time that children look forward to and it is common for adults to give them sweets, chocolates and other sweets. However, it is important to remember that these foods can be harmful to children’s oral health and can lead to the appearance of tooth decay, if consumed in excess and without adequate care.

According to pediatric dentist Ilana Marques, from the IGM Odontopediatria clinic, to ensure that children’s teeth are healthy during the holiday, it is important that parents and caregivers encourage the intake of neutralizing foods after consuming chocolate and only then brush their teeth. pe to brush your teeth. This is because if the child swallows chocolate and brushes his teeth immediately afterwards, he will rub the acid from the chocolate on his teeth and thus make the situation worse. The ideal is to limit the consumption of sweets and chocolate to one period of the day rather than allowing them to eat a little several times a day. The high frequency is a problem, the expert emphasizes.

The pediatric dentist gives another important tip: choose chocolates with a higher cocoa content, which have less sugar in their composition and are less harmful to the teeth. “It is also interesting to choose chocolates with simpler shapes and avoid those with very sugary fillings, which can stick to the teeth and increase the risk of tooth decay,” says Ilana Marques.

According to the expert, certain foods can protect teeth from future problems. “Whenever you eat dangerous foods, like chocolate, it’s important to eat protective foods, which are all kinds of nuts, cheese and salted popcorn,” adds the pediatric dentist, from the IGM Odontopediatria clinic.

In summary, Ilana gives some tips to protect children’s oral health during this period:

• Limit the frequency of sweets: Set clear limits on how often children can consume sweets in a day. It is important to remember that sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay.
• Choose healthier options: Choose chocolates with higher cocoa content and less sugar.
• Encourage washing and flossing after consumption of protective foods that should be provided after hazardous foods. Make sure children brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Explain the importance of washing and show how to do it correctly.
• Make regular visits to the dentist: Schedule regular appointments with the dentist to ensure that children’s oral health is monitored and treated if necessary.
• Teach good eating habits: Encourage healthy eating at home and teach children about the harmful effects of excess sugar on oral and overall health.