Nearly a quarter of children starting primary school have tooth decay

One in seven toddlers has tooth decay, research suggested in August 2017.

Some 14 per cent of three-year-olds have a decayed, missing or filled tooth, a study found.

Experts worry parents do not appreciate the importance of brushing their children’s teeth as they juggle the responsibilities of raising a family.

Study author Maria Morgan, Experts worry parents do not appreciate the importance of brushing their children’s teeth as they juggle the responsibilities of raising a family., said: ‘People don’t realise that you should start that early.

‘We are having some children at five, six or seven who are having five, six, seven, eight, nine teeth removed in one go.’ 

The researchers analysed 1,400 parents. Of which, 75 per cent brushed their children’s teeth the recommended twice a day.

Yet, due to the 25 per cent who fail to ensure their youngsters’ dental hygiene, 14 per cent of three-year-olds have a decayed, missing or filled tooth.

Ms Morgan said: ‘People don’t realise that you should start that early.

‘No book can prepare you for life when you have a baby.

‘When that lands on your plate – with all the different things you have to do and fit in – brushing teeth might not be the highest priority in the day.

‘Sometimes it can get left. The messages might not be getting to everybody.

She added: ‘We are having some children at five, six or seven who are having five, six, seven, eight, nine teeth removed in one go.

‘There are some children who are having teeth extracted under general anaesthetic; that’s approximately 8,000 children a year.

‘It shouldn’t be that great a number.’