Dates, Sweets and Snacks: Smart Eating for Strong Teeth

By Dr. Mohsen Alozaibi, Tiny Teeth Dental Center, Abu Dhabi

"But dates are healthy, aren't they?" They are, and I would never ask a family to give them up. Dates, sweets and snacks are part of everyday life and hospitality here. The goal is not to ban them, but to enjoy them in a way that is kinder to teeth.

It's about how often and how sticky

Every time your child eats or drinks something sugary, the bacteria in the mouth produce acid that softens tooth enamel for a while afterwards. Saliva then slowly repairs the damage. Teeth can usually cope with a few of these "acid attacks" a day, but not a constant stream.

So two things matter more than the total amount:

• Frequency: a small biscuit every hour is harder on teeth than a larger dessert eaten once with lunch.
• Stickiness: foods that cling to the teeth, such as toffees, gummy sweets, dried fruit and dates, keep sugar in contact with enamel much longer than foods that clear quickly.

Dates: nutritious, but sticky

Dates contain fiber, minerals and natural energy, and they are a lovely part of our food culture. They are also very sweet and tend to stick in the grooves of back teeth. A few practical tips:

• Offer dates with a meal or with laban or milk, rather than as an all-day nibble.
• Follow with a drink of water to help rinse the teeth.
• Avoid dates (and other sweet foods) after the night-time brush.

Chocolate versus sticky sweets

If your child is going to have a treat, plain chocolate usually clears from the mouth faster than chewy, sticky or long-lasting sweets such as lollipops, toffees and sour gummies. Sour sweets are also acidic, which adds to the wear on enamel.

Make "sweet time" part of a meal

Many families find it easier to have a clear rule: sweets come with or straight after a meal, not as snacks in between. Saliva flow is higher at mealtimes, and the teeth get one acid attack instead of several. It also means fewer daily negotiations.

Lunchbox ideas for school

Most schools in the UAE have healthy-eating guidelines, and many are nut-free, so check your school's policy first. Tooth-friendly options include:

• Cheese cubes or a cheese sandwich on wholemeal bread
• Cucumber, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes or sweet pepper strips
• Fresh fruit such as apple slices, grapes (cut for young children) or orange segments
• Plain laban or plain yogurt, with fruit added at home if needed
• A boiled egg or a small chicken wrap
• Nuts, only if your school allows them and your child is old enough to eat them safely
• Water in a refillable bottle, instead of juice

Watch for hidden sugar

Many "kids'" yogurts, cereal bars, flavored milks and juices contain more sugar than you might expect. On labels, look for sugar listed under names such as glucose, sucrose, fructose, syrup, honey or fruit juice concentrate. If sugar is near the top of the ingredients list, it's one to keep for occasional use.

Limit grazing

Children who snack constantly, or carry a juice bottle around, rarely give their teeth a break. Try to have set meal and snack times, with water in between. Two to three planned snacks a day is plenty for most children.

What about chewing gum?

For older children who can chew gum safely, sugar-free gum containing xylitol after a meal may help by increasing saliva. It is optional and never a substitute for brushing. It is not suitable for young children.