Children have 20 teeth, a delightful array that begins to emerge from their gummy smiles as early as 6 months old and continues to sprout until the tender age of 3. These tiny treasures, known as baby teeth or deciduous teeth, serve as the precursors to their adult counterparts. Between the ages of 6 and 18, this charming collection undergoes a magical transformation, with each baby tooth making way for its permanent successor. By adulthood, a full set of adult teeth can comprise up to 32 gleaming pearls, ready to take on a lifetime of chewing, smiling, and showcasing radiant oral health.

Yet, amidst this wondrous dental journey lies a formidable adversary: tooth decay.

Caused by the metabolic activities of oral bacteria, which gleefully convert sugar into energy and produce corrosive acids that wreak havoc on tooth enamel, tooth decay stands as the most prevalent dental disease for both.

Here are some tooth decay facts:

It is the number one cause for hospital admissions today for children under 10.
A quarter of all children in the UK have tooth decay before they reach the age of 5.
In a recent study, 50% of 5-6-year-olds in the UK had at least one cavity.
Cavities can cause pain, discomfort, and loss of sleep.
Last year, 60,000 school days were missed due to hospital tooth extractions.
The cost to the NHS of treating oral conditions is about £3.4 billion per year.

The crazy thing is, tooth decay is preventable.

Lifestyle factors play a significant role, so getting children interested in the importance of looking after their own teeth from an early age instils good habits early.

Here are some simple messages that are key to get across:

Consume less sugar and opt for healthy, sugar-free snacks.
As soon as the first tooth erupts, brush last thing at night and one other time of day with a fluoride toothpaste, with help from a parent until age 7.
And last but not least, don't skip out on those dental check-ups! Regular visits to the dentist are like armour for your teeth, protecting them from potential invaders.

Currently, access to NHS dentists is limited in some areas, so looking after the teeth of children is more important now than ever. As dental professionals at TIC, we can spread these simple messages and deliver them in a fun and engaging way to help children really start to think and take responsibility for their own dental health. We often take time out to visit our local schools and nurseries to deliver fun Oral Health Sessions.

Written by Laura Wilson - Dental Hygienist at The Implant Centre

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