{"id":48125,"date":"2014-09-29T23:15:00","date_gmt":"2014-09-29T23:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=d6c6dedc6f5ef862bd5359b5873fb1f1"},"modified":"2014-09-29T23:15:00","modified_gmt":"2014-09-29T23:15:00","slug":"press-release-new-phe-survey-finds-12-of-3-year-olds-have-tooth-decay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=48125","title":{"rendered":"Press release: New PHE survey finds 12% of 3 year olds have tooth decay"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The survey<\/a>, published today (30 September) by Public Health England (PHE<\/abbr>), found that those children affected had an average of 3 decayed teeth due to the disease. <\/p>\n

According to the survey, there was a dramatic variation of tooth decay prevalence ranging from 2% to 34% across the country. However the large majority of children (88%) 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.<\/p>\n

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 2 minutes twice a day, once before bed, using fluoride toothpaste. <\/p>\n

In some cases a particular type of decay called \u2018Early Childhood Caries\u2019 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 1 to 2 are full fat milk and water and from 2 years old, semi-skimmed milk and water as long as they are a good eater.<\/p>\n

This is the first time a survey of this age group has been carried out nationally so the findings form a baseline from which PHE<\/abbr> 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.<\/p>\n

To keep children\u2019s teeth healthy, PHE<\/abbr> is encouraging parents and carers of young children to:<\/p>\n