Life

Ask the Dentist: Parents should learn to 'just say No' to kids' demands for sweet treats

Dentist Lucy Stock of Gentle Dental Care in Belfast says parents must learn to deal with children's negative reaction to being told No – for the sake of their teeth

They might huff and puff if you say no to sweets – but they'll be less likely to have rotten teeth
They might huff and puff if you say no to sweets – but they'll be less likely to have rotten teeth They might huff and puff if you say no to sweets – but they'll be less likely to have rotten teeth

THERE has been a lot in the media recently about how the NHS is carrying out more than 100 operations each day in the UK for children to remove rotting teeth. The same children suffer bouts of pain while waiting for up to 12 months for a general anaesthetic appointment.

Having multiple teeth out is a daunting procedure for most adults, let alone small children, no matter how good the medical staff are. Often parents feel guilty and upset when a child needs teeth out. I would encourage parents to channel these emotions into actions that can break the cycle of decay and tooth extraction; having bad teeth as a child is not inevitable.

There are many ways in which parents can help. Its generally well understood that sugar causes decay. However, there’s a tug of war between the logical side of the brain that knows that sugar causes disease and the emotional part of the brain that wants to please a child and be rewarded with a smile.

For many parents it’s easier to give in than to deal with their child’s negative reaction. Especially as many children are masters at acting out or negotiating until they get their way.

Before you answer a “Can I have a biscuit / fizzy drink?” request from your child, ask yourself, “How do I want my child to be as they grow older? What do I want them to learn here about their teeth and general health?” Think about this before you respond and then you can start to take back control by keeping your long-term goal in mind.

Saying 'No' is an underused response!

Having food in reach but off limits drives kids crazy. You need to decide what’s appropriate to bring into the house and how accessible you want to make it. Try replacing sugary snacks with savoury options.

Avoid giving sweet treats too much attention. Studies show the attention we give sweets, both negative and positive, can create more desire. For example, a parent might act more excited when their kids get ice cream or on the other hand go overboard by demonising them altogether. Reduce how often a child has sweet treats; try choosing one day or weekends only for sweet treats.

Like everything in life, reducing your child’s sugar intake is achievable when you put your mind to it. Try to stick to the sugar limits that you set. There will be times that you slip up but it’s important to be as consistent as you can.