SWEET TEMPTATIONS TO TROUBLE

SWEET TEMPTATIONS TO TROUBLE

Chocolates, candies and chewing gum will bring a smile to any child’s face (and often his mother’s as well!). But both chocolate and candy harm teeth. And chocolate, containing caffeine, can also be addictive. (Good news: Chewing gum, though sweet, is the least harmful of the trio.)

Minimize the damage:
- Monitor chocolate intake. Keep it moderate, as a treat on special occasions. Don’t let it be a snack before meals, lest it kill the appetite and deprive your child of healthier nutrition.
- The risk of causing cavities can be reduced by brushing, rinsing, drinking water or milk (or even eating cheese or fibrous fruits) immediately after. 1 Hard candies and lollipops made of flavored crystallized sugar are slightly better than soft, sticky toffees or chocolate - the latter stick to teeth.
- Chewing gum stimulates salivation, which keeps the teeth clean. It also helps to keep the Eustachian tubes (connecting the throat to the ears) open, reducing earaches during air travel.
- Although traditional Indian sweets (mithai) do score above chocolates and candies, it’s best to moderate all sweets. Discourage visiting friends and relatives from bringing these as regular gifts.
- For the diabetic child, most sweets are available as artificially sweetened variants