Britain’s parents have been warned about the importance of taking "simple preventative steps" to ensure they take good care of their children's oral health .
In response to recent research carried out at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute, the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has called for increased awareness of the prevalence of low-fluoride toothpastes on the market.
The institute’s findings revealed that increasing numbers of young children in the UK are being treated for tooth decay, and as a result more tooth extractions are being carried out.
BDHF chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: "Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is the basis of good oral health ."
"There is evidence to suggest that the later a child gets its first dental cavity the better their lifetime oral health is likely to be, so it is important to establish a good oral health routine early."
According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of five and eight year olds visiting the dentist has more than doubled since 1993.
In order to help protect young teeth against acid erosion, dental experts recommend parents reduce the amount and frequency of sugary drinks and snacks in their child's diet .
