A senior pediatrician from the Ministry of Health has advised children to cut down on their sweets intake during Ramadan in order to avoid tooth decay.

Dr. Razan Al-Muharrib said on Tuesday during the ‘Hello Ramadan’ program that children tend to consume too many sweets during the holy month.

“This practice must be stopped in the children’s own interest,” she said, adding that they must be encouraged to brush their teeth after every meal.

The Ministry of Health (MoH), for the tenth consecutive year, launched its phone-in program on Sunday to receive queries regarding the various health problems people encounter during the holy month of Ramadan.

The program, which is entitled ‘Your Health in Ramadan’, kicked-off on the first day of the holy month.

“The program seeks to assist Muslims in understanding any medical problems they might encounter during Ramadan,” Al-Muharrib added. The program this year is focused on ensuring Muslims maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle and will stress the importance of taking prescribed doses of medication in a timely manner during the holy month.

The service is available on the toll free number 800 249 4444. It is operated in Arabic and is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Speaking further, Al-Muharrib advised parents to take care of their children’s dental health. She pointed out that children should be sent for regular dental checkups to ensure that their mouth and teeth are healthy.

Al-Muharrib explained that tooth decay occurs when the outer surface of the tooth is damaged leading to holes or cavities in the tooth. “This is caused by bacteria, and light, sugary snacks and beverages,” she said.

She warned that tooth decay is among the most widespread problems globally across all age groups. She added that if tooth decay is not treated, the cavities might get bigger causing severe pain, inflammation, tooth loss and a host of other complications.

Studies indicate that the percentage of children aged six and twelve suffering from tooth decay in the Kingdom has reached 93.7 percent.

According to reports, the incidence of oral and dental diseases in Saudi Arabia surpasses that of many countries including those in the GCC which makes it necessary for concerted efforts to help improve the dental health in the region.