Excessive consumption of sugary food and drink lies behind the huge rise in hospital treatments for childhood tooth decay
The cost of removing rotting teeth in children and teenagers rose by 61 per cent in the last five years, according to figures released by the Local Government Association. More than 100 operations to remove teeth in children and teens are taking place each day in hospitals rather than dentists', due to the severity of the tooth decay.
The figures show that hospitals spent £35 million on multiple tooth extraction in under-18s in 2014-15, compared with £21 million in 2010-11. Dental decay is the top cause of childhood hospital admission for children aged between five and nine, with nearly 26,000 admitted in 2013-14.
Council leaders believe that excessive consumption of fizzy drinks and foods high in added sugar is a major reason behind the surge in cases of treatment. Youngsters in the UK are the biggest soft drinkers in Europe, with 40 per cent of 11 to 15-year-olds drinking sugary drinks at least once a day.
The LGA has called for the Government to include tough measures to tackle young people's sugar consumption in its forthcoming childhood obesity strategy. These include a reduction of sugar content and teaspoon labelling of sugar content in soft drinks, and greater availability of water in nurseries, schools and colleges as an alternative to soft drinks.
Find details of Sustain's campaign on Children's Food here, and the Children's Health Fund here.
Published Friday 15 April 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
