Many children in Plymouth may find they have to go for emergency dentistry, if new figures are anything to go by.
A report from Plymouth’s NHS Oral Health Strategy has revealed that 29.1 per cent of five-year-olds suffered obvious tooth decay in 2009.
Furthermore, only 11 per cent had these decayed teeth filled, the Herald reports.
According to city healthcare experts, the problem comes as a result of poor diets and a high consumption of sugary sweets.
Dr Gill Jones, Plymouth consultant in dental public health, said many parents do not do enough to give their children’s teeth a proper clean twice a day.
“And we’ve got to get children used to coming into the dentist, giving them fluoride and brushing advice. It’s about raising awareness,” she added.
Dr Jones said that although it is fine to have some sugar at meal times, youngsters should not snack on sweet treats too much.
Earlier this week, the British Dental Health Foundation told Elle magazine that consuming too much sugar can lead to acid attacks.