1 in 3 Five Year Olds in Birmingham have Tooth Decay
Figures have revealed that a third of children under the age of 5 in Birmingham have decayed or missing teeth.
Statistics have also shown that the number of people visiting a dentist in the city has decreased significantly and obesity rates amongst children are on the rise.
Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust has been using giant toothbrushes and teeth to encourage children to get involved in oral hygiene and take better care of their teeth and gums. Health experts are attributing high rates of decay and obesity to poor diets, full of sugary and fatty foods.
Jasmin Frater, a postnatal coordinator for the under fives programme, said that parents need to take responsibility for their children’s oral health and that oral healthcare should start from a very early age. Parents should teach their children how to brush their teeth and ensure that their children attend regular check-ups. Diet is also extremely important and parents should encourage their children to make healthy food choices. Regular check-ups and a healthy diet will help reduce the risk of oral health problems. Oral health conditions in children are linked to low self-esteem and poor performance at school and poor oral health can also contribute to serious health problems in later life.
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