dental charity

Around one-third of children under the age of five in the U.K. continue to suffer from dental decay.

To read more about dental decay, go to decay.

The British Dental Health Foundation is now working with the Infant and Toddler Forum to help raise awareness of the issue with health-care professionals, parents, carers, and guardians.

With diet being an important factor for healthy teeth, the foundation has already endorsed the Forum’s Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers, which covers advice in areas such as eating, drinking and exercise. Both organisations have now combined, during National Smile Month, to produce a new Factsheet called Protecting Toddlers from Tooth Decay, which provides advice on how to care for children’s teeth. This includes fluoride, medicines, diet, snacking, tooth brushing and bottle-feeding.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, said: “It is really important children develop a good oral health routine from a very early age. It’s also important that the people who care for them have the knowledge and information to help nurture children. Our relationship with the Infant and Toddler Forum creates an excellent opportunity for us to share our experience and advice directly with the people and organisations that have the most influence on children in their formative years.”

Judy More, paediatric dietician and forum member explained: “Parents often think that tooth decay in children’s first teeth is not important as they will grow their adult set in any case. However, the first teeth are just as important as adult teeth as early loss of the first teeth can lead to overcrowding when adult teeth appear. The Infant & Toddler Forum has produced some simple guidance and tips for parents to help avoid tooth decay in their little ones.”

For more information, go to www.dentalhealth.org.

To comment on this topic, go to community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/.