Request a bookingThere has been a lot of mention in the media recently about the impact of junk food advertising on kids’ general health. The effects of childhood obesity and behaviour changes from consuming junk food are commonly discussed.
What many might not realise though, is excessive junk food advertising and consumption has a significant effect on endemic tooth decay in children.
How Much Are Kids Really Seeing?
Children see twice as much unhealthy food advertising versus healthy food advertising.
This is a finding from recent research by the University of Adelaide where a custom television monitoring system captured 12 months of ads from a commercial network in South Australia.
The study concluded that kids see more than 800 unhealthy food television ads per year (from a daily average viewing time of 80 minutes). These ads are for snack foods, sugary drinks, and fast food and they generally peaked during popular viewing times for kids. It is then not surprising that childhood health issues are on the rise!
Current Statistics
The Australian Dental Association produces an Oral Health Tracker that reports significant levels of tooth decay. 34.3% of 5 to 6-year-olds and 2.35% of 6 to 14-year-olds have experienced decay in their primary and permanent teeth respectively. Also concerning is that 27% of 5 to 14-year-olds have untreated tooth decay present.
How Good Family Dental Care Can Help
So what can you do to help combat the effects of junk food ads against your child’s health? Ensuring your entire family has positive dental care routines is a really good step.
When kids see their parents and siblings brushing in the morning and evening with flouride toothpaste and flossing once a day, they are very likely to adopt similar habits themselves. Make brushing and flossing fun! Have a set time when brushing takes place and get in the bathroom and do your teeth when the kids are too.
Beyond at-home family dental care, make sure you regularly visit the dentist for a checkup and clean. Take the whole family along together so your kids see you implementing positive practices. Prevention is the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
What Else Can You Do?
We all know kids love watching TV and stopping them from seeing junk food advertising is very tricky. General education about healthy eating and staying active are both great ways to encourage healthy lifestyle choices (and hopefully lessen the desire for junk foods).