Why you should think twice about giving your children raisins - dentists warn parents

We know sweets, sugary drinks and fast food are bad for kids. But what about the secret - and surprising - items which can have a nasty effect?

Dentist Saara Sabir reveals the healthy food items which are causing tooth decay - and recommends an alternative

There's an increasingly fine line for parents to tread when it comes to children's food and snacks.

Kids can be notoriously fussy - and have a habit of gravitating towards items specifically marketed with them in mind.

Yet these very items often have hidden - and astronomical - levels of saturated fats and processed sugars.

Amongst the main offenders are the fast food chains and junk food giants typically associated with "unhealthy" food.

But even healthy items of food, while acknowledged to be nutritionally and developmentally beneficial, may adversely affect a child's dental health - and cause severe problems in later life.

Mirror Online spoke to Saara Sabir, a practising dentist and mum-of-one from Salford, and asked what the most serious culprit of tooth decay was.

The answer? Raisins - and dried fruit in general.

They look sweet and innocent, but are best avoided outside of mealtimes

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

But the concentrated sugar content in dried fruit is extremely detrimental to a child's teeth.

"A small packet of raisins has around 8 teaspoons worth of sugar in."

Bear this in mind: According to the NHS, the recommended daily sugar allowance for children aged four to six years-old is no more than five sugar cubes. For children aged seven to ten, it is no more than six.

The reason dried fruit poses a particular danger is also because of its consistency.

Saara continues: "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."

However, given their nutritional value, this does not mean they should be avoided altogether.

Teeth removed from children caused by drinking sugary drinks

"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."

Some of the bacteria in our mouths feed on the sugar present in our diets, producing acid.

If not kept in check (by brushing teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and reducing sugary treats to mealtimes only) this can lead to holes or cavities in the teeth - tooth decay.

So, "Raisins and other dried fruit are fine - but given at the right time."

Another item to be wary of, according to Saara, is fruit juice - some brands have a higher sugar content than cola.

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

Read more: Jamie Oliver calls for ban on junk food ads during Britain's Got Talent

Tooth decay affects a huge number of children - and can carry on past them losing their milk teeth.

The first ever survey of three-year-olds in England was published last year and revealed some depressing findings.

One in eight of the children had signs of tooth decay.