Prevention and education

“As tooth decay is largely preventable, parents, nurseries, retailers, governments and dental professionals must all play their part to reduce, if not eliminate, this disease.

“Parents and carers may feel that giving sugar-sweetened drinks is comforting, but in reality it’s more likely to cause pain and suffering as it is the major cause of tooth decay in toddlers.

“Worse still, thousands of these youngsters end up having to be admitted to hospital to have rotten teeth extracted under general anaesthetic.  

“Prevention and education are the key to tackling this disease with parents leading by example. It’s never too soon to take your toddler to the dentist – ideally no later than 18 months – because dentists can identify and treat tooth decay at the earliest stage and advise parents on tooth brushing and prevention.

“But government also has a major responsibility to invest in prevention. From sugar controls at check-outs to targeted oral health interventions, we must find ways of ensuring good oral health from an early age.