The number of five-year-olds with tooth decay has dropped to its lowest level in almost a decade -- but this still means that 2.5% of five-year-olds are having teeth removed because of decay.
The latest dental survey by Public Health England reveals that less than 25% of the sample of five-year-olds studied were suffering from tooth decay, a 20% drop since 2008. This means that tooth decay is estimated to affect more than 160,000 five-year-olds.
Dr Sandra White, Director of Dental Public Health at PHE, said the results showed that tooth decay in children could be 'stopped in its tracks': 'Limiting sugary food and drink, supporting children to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regular trips to the dentist will help prevent a great many more children suffering'.
While there has been a significant decline in tooth decay at a national level, there is still a great deal of regional variation. In the North-west, a third of five-year-olds suffer from tooth decay, whereas only a fifth do in the South-east.
Sustain's Children's Food Campaign has campaigned successfully for a sugary drinks tax, to help prevent both obesity and tooth decay.
Published Friday 13 May 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.
