Did you know that in primary schools in the UK, 8 or 9 children in every class will have tooth decay? That equates to approximately 3.3 million children between the ages of 0-14 years old.
What can we do to improve dental health in our children?
- Brush your teeth for 2 minutes every day using a fluoride toothpaste
- Have a balanced diet with limited sugary foods and drinks
- Visit the dentist regularly
This problem is not isolated to children. It is estimated that over 80% of the population have at least one filling, 31% of adults have tooth decay and 6% of the population do not have any of their natural teeth.
How can we avoid tooth decay? As well as brushing your teeth twice a day, use floss or interdental brushes to get to the plaque between your teeth, avoid snacks between meals and chew sugar-free gum for up to 20 minutes after a meal. Chewing gum produces more saliva which helps cancel out any acid that attacks your tooth enamel.
Don’t forget to visit your dentist as regularly as they recommend.
References
http://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/facts-figures/
https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/mouth-conditions/dental-decay
https://www.dentalhealth.org/our-work/dental-buddy