We’re all having too much sugar
LS1 Dental Leeds is right behind the NHS Sugar Smart, Change for life Campaign and the impact it could have on our patients , if they were to make the small changes in their diet – Its is currently believed that children on average are consuming THREE times More sugar than they should be ! *Based on the maximum daily added sugar recommendation
LS1 Dental believes that the answer is in education, the more we can get the diet advice out to patients the better, this can be done through regular Dental Examinations, and your LS1 dentist can give out dietary advice , give out information leaflets and explain how prevention is always better than the cure..
Visits to LS1 Dental Hygienist Department for a regular cleaning, giving the Hygienist time to give patients tips and advice on tooth brushing techniques, oral hygiene products and re-enforce the diet advice , As well completing a clean .
We at LS1 Dental understand it can be confusing to know what amount of sugar is in product – so that is why we love the new sugar smart App, you can download !! it is then as simple as scanning the items barcode and all will be revealed –
Take a look below at the tips, hints and advice that would be hugely beneficial to your Dental Health and overall Health
Our kids might seem fine on the outside, but too much sugar can cause tooth decay and lead to the build up of harmful fat on the inside that we can’t see. This fat around their vital organs can cause serious disease in the future, like:
Weight gain
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
Some cancers
The problem is that sugar is often lurking in our kids’ food and drink, and the biggest source is sugary drinks.
Sugary drinks have no place in a child’s daily diet
Around 30% of the sugar in kids’ diets comes from sugary drinks, such as fizzy pop, juice drinks, squashes, cordials, energy drinks and juice.
More sugar than anyone should have in a day!
So how much is too much?
The maximum daily amounts of added sugar* are:
4-6 years-5 cubes max* 0r 19 Grams
7-10 years – 6 cubes max* or 24 grams
11+ years – 7 cubes max* or 30 grams
What do we mean by added sugar?
When we talk about added sugar, we mean sugar that has been added to food and drink to sweeten it. It could be added:
By a food manufacturer
By a cook or chef when you eat out or get a takeaway
By you, if you add sugar to your food and drink at home (like your cereal or hot drinks, and while cooking)
It doesn’t just mean the spoonful of sugar you add to your tea. It also includes:
Honey
Syrups
Fruit juice nectars
You don’t need to worry about the sugar in plain milk, plain yoghurts and whole fruit and veg as this isn’t added sugar.
What about the sugar in fruit and veg?
Although they can contain a lot of sugar, you don’t need to worry about the sugar in fruit and veg because they:
Have lots of vitamins and minerals
Are a great source of fibre , Count towards your 5 A DAY But, watch out for fruit juice!
Fruit juice is very high in sugar, but it still counts towards your 5 A DAY, so remember to:
Limit the amount to no more than 150ml a day
Keep it to mealtimes as it can cause tooth decay
It’s important for older kids and grown-ups too
Kids aged over 11 and grown-ups should have no more than 7 cubes of added sugar a day.
Be a role model
Kids will copy you, so if they see you eating and drinking more healthily, they will too
Get the kids cooking
Get your kids’ help with preparing healthier snacks. They are more likely to eat it if they’ve helped prepare it!
Let the kids scan and reveal the sugar! Education is the best tool !
Feel like you need more information/ help – then contact us at LS1 Dental as we always be happy to discuss at more length or arrange an oral hygiene /advice appointment for you
