Many of us grew up drinking a glass of milk before bedtime, and continue the cosy tradition with our own children even today. However, it may not be as healthy as we think. Dr Mark Burhenne, a San Francisco-based dentist with over 40 years of experience, has shared a list of five things he avoids giving children as both a dentist and a dad; so parents, take note.
No Milk For Kids At Night?
Dr. Mark Burhenne (@askthedentist) took to Instagram to share a list of five things he would never give children as a dentist, and one thing that stood out was giving milk at bed time to kids. He elaborated on this and mentioned in the post, “Milk at bedtime sounds cosy, but it coats teeth in sugar overnight.”
According to him, there’s no harm in serving milk during dinner. However, once children have brushed, flossed, and cleaned their tongues for the night, they should consume nothing but water to maintain healthy teeth and prevent decay. Well, this was truly enlightening.
Also Read: Drinking Milk Daily? Nutritionist Shares Pros & Cons, Alternatives, And Who Should Avoid It
Food You Should Not Give Your Kids, As Per The Dentist
Dr. Mark Burhenne shared a list of five things parents should avoid giving their children. While bedtime milk was one of them, here are four other items he urges parents to reconsider –
1. Sippy cups: As per the dentist, open cups are way better for the kids than this popular product.
2. Flavored water/juice: He explains that the combination of acid and sugar repeatedly exposes teeth to conditions that lead to cavities. Plain water, he advises, is always the safest choice.
3. Dried fruit: Dr. Mark Burhenne even suggests avoiding dried fruits, calling them ‘sticky sugar bombs’. Unlike fresh fruit, which doesn’t cling to teeth, dried fruit can stick like glue, allowing cavity-causing bacteria to feed for hours.
4. Processed crackers: The dentist explains that popular processed crackers can turn into a sticky paste that settles into the grooves of molars, affecting dental health. Instead, he suggests healthier alternatives such as string cheese, apples, or crunchy vegetables.
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We hope this helps you improve the health of your kid’s teeth!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/LP7 (representative image)
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