Overview
Tooth decay is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England, yet it is largely preventable. It can cause pain and infection which can limit children’s ability to learn, sleep, eat and play.
In 2022, a quarter of Trafford’s children (24.5%) already had some visible tooth decay at the age of 5. Each child with tooth decay will have on average 3 to 4 teeth affected. For those children at risk, it can happen early in life. Tooth extractions is the most common reason for hospital admission for general anaesthesia in children aged 5-9.
Whatever your age, there are things that you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day.
- Make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride. Look for toothpastes that contain 1350-1500 ppm of fluoride – you can find this information on the back of the box or tube.
- Children don’t need special kids’ toothpaste; the whole family can use the same product.
- Once a child’s first tooth comes through, it’s time to start a brush routine. Remember, for under 3s, just a smear of paste. For over 3s, it’s a pea-sized amount.
- Make some sugar swaps. Choose healthy snacks between meals. How to cut down on sugar in your diet - NHS