While obesity is a major topic of discussion when it comes to our children’s health, there is another concern on the minds of experts in England this week: oral health.
This concern comes as the Chief Dental Office revealed that the number of children having to get teeth removed due to decay has risen yet again, for the fourth time in as many years.
According to the latest statistics, there were a whopping 33,781 cases among children aged 10 years and under, between 2014 and 2015. This marked a 3% rise from the previous year, and a 10% increase over four years.
Describing the statistics as ‘disappointing’, Chief Dental Officer Sara Hurley told the media that British children's love of fizzy drinks is partly to blame for this alarming problem.
Meanwhile, commenting on the bad news, dental expert Prof Nigel Hunt insisted that the Health Service needs to intervene, sooner rather than later.
“This issue urgently needs to be addressed, especially since 90% of tooth decay is preventable…The Government and dental professionals need to work together to raise awareness of the impact of sugar on tooth decay and improve children’s access to NHS dental services,” he said.
We’ll just have to watch this space.
