Public Health England researchers checked the teeth of nearly 54,000 children at nurseries, children's centres and playgroup and found 12% of children had evidence of tooth decay. These youngsters had an average of three teeth that were decayed, missing or filled
In
one area - Leicester - 34% of children had tooth decay whereas in others it was
only 2%.
Researchers
also said that some children had a particular type of decay known as early
childhood caries. This
affects the upper front teeth and spreads quickly to other teeth. It is linked
to the consumption of sugary drinks in baby bottles or sipping cups.
PHE
said that parents should give their children sugary foods and drinks in smaller
quantities and less often. It also urged them not to add sugar to weaning foods
or drinks.
Parents
and carers should also start brushing children's teeth as soon as the
first tooth appeared and supervise their brushing until they the age of
seven or eight, PHE said.
Sandra White, director of
dental public health at PHE, said while there had been "significant
improvements" in oral health over the years, the findings were worrying.
"Tooth
decay is an entirely preventable disease which can be very painful and even
result in a child having teeth removed under general anaesthetic, which is
stressful for children and parents alike."
Dr
Christopher Allen, of the British Dental Association, said: "Parents and
carers may feel that giving sugar-sweetened drinks is comforting, but in
reality it's more likely to cause pain and suffering as it is the major cause
of tooth decay in toddlers.
"It's
never too soon to take your toddler to the dentist - ideally no later than 18
months - because dentists can identify and treat tooth decay at the earliest
stage and advise parents on tooth brushing and prevention."
With
thanks to BBC News / Health 30
09 2014
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