Should We Be Giving Our Children Raisins?

Raisins and dried fruits in general are the most serious causes of tooth decay, says a dentist from Salford.

16:56 11 November 2015

Saara Sabir, a practising dentist from Salford said that while raisins and dried fruits are recognized to be nutritious and developmentally beneficial, they are the most serious causes of tooth decay.

 

Saara explains: "Raisins and dried fruit are a big problem. Many parents think they're a good option because they're packed with vitamins."

 

"Raisins are sticky, and get stuck in teeth. Therefore the bacteria has a prolonged source of sugar, so it can cause decay for a longer period of time."

 

She added: "It's better to give your child raisins as a dessert or part of a meal rather than a snack.

 

"Sugar as part of a meal is not detrimental to the teeth, so saving sweet treats for mealtimes doesn't cause decay.

 

"However frequent snacking of sweet foods and drinks between meals causes the mouth to remain in an acidic state - which is ideal for decay to occur."

 

Saara also warned about fruit juices particularly those brands that have a higher sugar content.

 

"One glass of fruit juice a day is fine with a meal - and this also applies to adults too."