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Under fives tooth decay 'improving' | Under fives tooth decay 'improving' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The number of five-year-olds with tooth decay has dropped to its lowest level in almost a decade, latest figures from Public Health England show. | |
In 2008, nearly a third of five-year-olds in England - 177,423 in all - suffered tooth decay. By 2015, it had dropped to a quarter. | |
But health experts say more steps must be taken to help youngsters look after their teeth. | But health experts say more steps must be taken to help youngsters look after their teeth. |
They recommend limiting sugary food and drink and regular trips to the dentist. | They recommend limiting sugary food and drink and regular trips to the dentist. |
And children should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. | And children should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. |
What's changed? | |
Currently, an estimated 166,467 five-year-olds - less than a quarter - suffer from tooth decay. | |
But while there has been improvement nationally, experts say there is a great deal of regional variation. | But while there has been improvement nationally, experts say there is a great deal of regional variation. |
The highest rates of tooth decay were found among children living in the North West of England, and the lowest in the South East. | |
Dr Sandra White, director of dental public health at Public Health England, said having healthy teeth was important for children, both for their health and their confidence. | |
"Our faces are quite a mirror to us, and we you smile with a nice smile it makes a big difference when we start school." | |
How to brush your teeth properly | |
She said the downward trend in tooth decay was welcome, and was probably down to parents and society being more aware of the impact of sugar on teeth. | |
"Parents have a key role in this. They need to watch what their children are eating and particularly drinking." | |
She said children were consuming three times the amount of sugar that they should be having, and a lot of that is coming from sugary drinks. | |
"It would be wonderful if everybody gave their children water and low fat milks." But she accepted that, realistically, it might be quite difficult for parents to achieve. |