Ramadan and Eid: Keeping Kids' Teeth Healthy Through the Season

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

Ramadan and Eid are some of the most special times of the year for families. Routines change, children stay up later, and tables fill with luqaimat, kunafa and Vimto. None of that needs to be lost. With a few small adjustments, children's teeth can stay healthy through the whole season.

When routines change

During Ramadan, meal times shift to iftar and suhoor, bedtimes often move later, and children may spend evenings at family gatherings. The usual "brush after breakfast and before bed" routine can easily slip. A simple plan helps:

• Brush after iftar, once the main meal and sweets are finished, or before heading out to visit family.
• Brush before sleep, even if bedtime is late. This is the most important brush of the day, because saliva flow drops during sleep.
• If your child wakes for suhoor, a brush after eating is a good habit too.

Keep using fluoride toothpaste at the right amount for your child's age, and let them spit without rinsing.

Children who are trying to fast

Many children like to try fasting for part of the day as they grow. Families decide this in their own way, and questions about fasting itself are best taken to a religious scholar. From a dental point of view:

• Encourage plenty of water between iftar and suhoor, rather than sweet drinks.
• Brush at suhoor so teeth start the day clean.
• A dry mouth and some bad breath during the fasting hours are common, because less saliva is produced. This usually settles after eating and drinking. Brushing the tongue gently helps.
• A balanced suhoor with foods like eggs, cheese, laban, bread and fruit can keep children going better than a sugary one.

Vimto, juices and Ramadan sweets

Vimto, juices and sweet drinks are part of many iftar tables. They are high in sugar and often acidic, so:

• Serve them with the meal in a cup, rather than sipping throughout the evening.
• Consider diluting sweet drinks more than usual.
• Offer water between meals and visits.

Luqaimat, kunafa, dates and other sweets are best enjoyed as part of iftar or straight after it, followed by a glass of water, rather than as a stream of small treats all evening.

Eid gatherings and gifts

Eid brings visits, chocolates and sweet trays at every house. A few tips:

• Let children choose a few favorite treats to enjoy after a meal, rather than grazing from every plate.
• Water is the best drink between visits.
• Keep the night-time brush, however late and tired everyone is. Even a quick brush with fluoride toothpaste is far better than none.
• A new toothbrush in a favorite color or character, or a fun timer, can make a lovely small addition to Eid gifts and gets children excited about brushing again.

Plan a check-up

Busy seasons are easy times to fall behind on dental visits. Booking a check-up before Ramadan or after Eid is a good way to make sure any early problems are caught and the routine is back on track.

When to call sooner

Contact your dentist if your child has toothache, swelling of the gum or face, a broken tooth from a fall during play, or white or brown spots that you have not noticed before. Swelling of the face with fever needs urgent attention.