Tax On Sugar Drinks Welcome For Children’s Oral Health
Oral health benefits today in the Chancellors Budget as it has been announced that a new sugar tax will be introduced on soft drinks. It will come into force in 2018 to ‘give the industry time to adjust’, the Chancellor says. The £520m expected to be raised will be used to help support school sport.
Whilst the headlines were focused on childhood obesity and diabetes, the additional benefit will be on children’s oral health too and at FHDC we welcome this announcement as excellent news. With World Oral Health Day just around the corner this is excellent news.
Children receive free dental examinations at FHDC when they are accompanied by a fee paying adult. In addition to children’s oral health checks they also benefit from important oral health education and instruction.
When should I take my child to the dentist?
It is recommended for children’ oral health checks that kids should go to the dentist with their parents as soon as possible. You should then take them regularly, as often as your dental team recommend. This will let them get used to the noises, smells and surroundings and prepare them for future visits. The earlier these visits start, the more relaxed the children will be.
Should I use fluoride toothpaste?
Your teeth can get fluoride in a number of different ways, including from toothpaste, specific fluoride applications and perhaps the drinking water in your area. These can all help to prevent tooth decay. If you are unsure about how much fluoride you need in your toothpaste ask your dental team. You can check the level of fluoride on the packaging of the toothpaste. Children should be supervised when brushing up to the age of 7. You should make sure that they do not rinse but spit out the toothpaste, and that they don’t swallow any if possible. This way the fluoride stays in the mouth for longer and will be more effective.
If you would like to see a new dentist or dental hygienist, you can register with us online here.
