Dental News - Survey shows sugar consumption increase among children during summer

Dental Tribune UK

Tue. 10. July 2018

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LONDON, UK: With Britain still recovering from its longest heatwave in five years, parents may be tempted to help keep their children cool by giving them ice cream, soft drinks and other cold treats. The British Dental Association has urged restraint in this regard, as new figures show that more than half of children in the UK are consuming at least twice their recommended daily sugar intake during the summer school break.

A survey of 1,000 parents with children aged between 2 and 17, conducted by dental care provider mydentist, found that sugar intake increases greatly in the summertime. Almost a quarter of responding parents estimated that they gave their children twice as much sugar over summer compared with other times of the year. A further 15.6 per cent said that they gave their children three times as much sugar, with another 11.5 per cent stating that their children were consuming more than five times as much sugar.

Four out of five parents expressed concern about the increased sugar intake of their children over summer. However, around 25 per cent stated that they either lack the time to take their children to the dentist for a free check-up during this period, or they do not see it as a priority.

“It is tempting to beat the heat with soft drinks and ice cream, but parents must recognise the damage these sugar-laced confections can do,” said Dr Russ Ladwa, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Health and Science Committee.

“Tooth decay is now a wholly preventable epidemic, and the number one reason a child will be admitted to hospital. Yes, we need parents to take responsibility over what they buy, but ministers also need to force industry to change the way they formulate and market these products,” he asserted.

“Added sugar is cheap, addictive and nutrient free. Ultimately if you want to keep the kids cool and hydrated, reach for the water,” suggested Ladwa.

Tooth extraction is the most common reason for hospital admission in the UK for 5- to 9-year-olds. A child in England has a tooth removed in hospital every 10 minutes and, according to NHS data, around one-quarter of 5-year-olds suffer from dental caries.

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