New PHE survey finds 12 per cent of three year olds have tooth decay

The first national survey of the oral health of three year old children in England has shown that 12 per cent of three year olds, examined in their nursery, children’s centre or playgroup, suffered from visible tooth decay.

The survey, published today by Public Health England (PHE), found that those children affected had an average of three decayed teeth due to the disease.

Across Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, 11.5 per cent of three year olds examined were found to have tooth decay.

According to the survey, there was a dramatic variation of tooth decay prevalence ranging from two per cent to 34 per cent across the country.

However the large majority of children (88 per cent) in this age group have no decay at all.

This reflects trends of significant improvements in dental health since the introduction of fluoride toothpaste in 1976.

Tooth decay is caused by consuming too many sugary foods and drinks too often.

Unless this lifestyle issue is addressed, there is a much higher risk of further tooth decay in permanent adult teeth and throughout later life.

It can be prevented by eating a healthy balanced diet which limits the amount of foods and drinks high in sugar, and also by brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day, once before bed, using fluoride toothpaste.

In some cases a particular type of decay called ‘Early Childhood Caries’ was found by the survey.

This affects the upper front teeth spreading rapidly to other teeth and is related to the consumption of sugary drinks in baby bottles or sipping cups.

There is a much higher risk of tooth decay if sugary drinks are given to children so they should be avoided.

Breast feeding provides the best nutrition for babies and the best drinks for young children aged one to two are full fat milk and water and from two years old, semi-skimmed milk and water as long as they are a good eater.

This is the first time a survey of this age group has been carried out nationally and the findings form a baseline from which PHE can continue to collect data.

This will enable us to monitor trends and target resource appropriately to help local authorities tackle tooth decay in children.

To keep children’s teeth healthy, PHE is encouraging parents/carers of young children to:

• reduce both the amount and how often sugary foods and drinks are given to them,

• not add sugar to weaning foods or drinks,

• aim to introduce drinking from a free-flow cup from six months of age and stop feeding from a bottle from 12 months of age,

• start brushing children’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears and supervise their tooth brushing until they are seven or eight years old.

Brush children’s teeth twice daily, including just before bed, using a fluoride toothpaste,

• from the age of three, use only a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, for younger children a smear,

• use only sugar-free medicines.

Dr Sandra White, Director of Dental Public Health at Public Health England, said: “While there have been significant improvements to the nation’s oral health, some areas still experience problems with tooth decay among young children. 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 Shona Arora, Centre Director for the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire PHE Centre added: “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.”