"I would never give this to my children": dentists warn

A dentist, joined by another expert, gave his opinion on two foods he would not give to children. Their health depends on it.

Candy and sweets, sodas and sugary drinks... Everyone suspects that these foods don't mix well with children's health. In recent years, many practitioners have warned about the dangers of cola on young children's baby teeth. But there are other products whose dangers to our toddlers' young teeth are much less well known. To raise awareness of the dangers of sugar on teeth, several experts have sounded the alarm and provided a few examples.

This is the case for a Finnish dental hygienist. Dental hygienists are responsible for assisting dentists in dental clinics with minor procedures. Anni Savolainen has seen many children's teeth. However, she believes some people neglect the role of baby teeth too much, under the pretext that they are "temporary." Neglecting their health can lead to permanent damage, especially during the transition to adult teeth. "At this time, permanent damage can occur if dental care is neglected." She emphasizes the role of parents. "Children often learn dental hygiene by observing their parents," she points out.

But what are these foods that have experts so worried? Anni Savolainen is adamant: "Personally, I would never give lollipops or raisins to children," she told the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti. For lollipops, the explanation is simple: they bathe the teeth in sugar for several minutes.

And raisins? Dr. Petter Gjessing Johnsen, a Norwegian dentist, confirms his Finnish colleague's warnings. "Many people probably think raisins are good because they are dried fruit. But the truth is, they contain a lot of sugar," he explains to the daily Dagbladet. "They are far from beneficial for teeth. Raisins are high in sugar and very sticky, so the sugar stays on the teeth for a long time and can trigger a caries process because it is difficult to remove. Glucose is cariogenic, which means that bacteria in the mouth can very easily use it to create acids that, in turn, destroy teeth," explains the dentist, noting that raisins contain more than 60g of sugar per 100g.

This expert gives other examples. "At the clinic, we find that foods like caramels, fruit bars, and dried fruit can be particularly 'dangerous' for teeth in terms of cavities," he says. However, he is less categorical than his Finnish colleague. "Personally, I have to be honest: despite my knowledge about teeth, I don't avoid any food or drink. The secret lies in good hygiene." These experts aren't saying that you should absolutely stop eating them, but it's better, as with any food, to monitor children's consumption. A trip to the bathroom for a good toothbrush will finish the job!