The first national survey of the oral health of 3-year-olds by Public Health England finds 12% of children have tooth decay.
Dr Sandra White, Director of Dental Public Health at PHE, said:
“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.
Thankfully, tooth decay in children can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. By parents and carers reducing the amount of sugary foods and drinks they give their children and supporting them to brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, especially just before bedtime. It is also important to take your child to the dentist, which is free of charge for children, as the dentist will be able to advise you about how to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy.”
The survey found some children had a type of decay called ‘Early Childhood Caries’. It affects the upper front teeth and spreads rapidly to other teeth. The cause of this type of decay is sugary drinks given in baby bottles or sippy cups.
Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for babies. The best drinks for young children aged 1 to 2 are full fat milk or water. From 2 years old, semi-skimmed milk or water is fine as long as the child is a good eater.
To keep children’s teeth healthy, PHE is encouraging parents and carers of young children to:
