Say ‘No’ to the vending machine

Whether it be the swimming pool, shopping centre or hospital – all of us with children and grandchildren will have at some point faced the screaming tantrums as we attempt to drag our little ones away from a vending machine stocked full of chocolate and sweeties.

After all, it’s sometimes difficult for us as grown ups to resist the temptation of a Mars bar or Double Decker.

It’s not surprising then that earlier this month experts in nutrition from University College London and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have made fresh calls for vending machines stocking confectionary and sugary drinks to be removed from government controlled areas such as schools and hospitals.

It follows a new study published in the BMC Public Health journal which suggests the target for sugar consumption should be no more than 3% of energy intake.

Researchers from University College London and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine reckon sugar is the most important factor in the development of tooth decay and an increase from near-zero sugar to 5% of energy intake doubles the prevalence of decay in children.

The study added that the treatment of problems costs between 5% and 10% of total health expenditure in industrial countries.

Here at Perfect Pearls we see on a daily basis the problems tooth decay can cause in adults especially those in their late 50s early 60s who come to us for implants, mini implants and other treatments and we would agree with the experts about vending machines.

So until such time as we get they are removed from public areas we would appeal to all parents and grandparents to continue saying no to the vending machine and help protect our children’s teeth now and for the future.