Parents believe it’s acceptable for children to have tooth decay
A third of parents believe it’s acceptable for children to have experienced tooth decay before they become a teenager, according to a survey conducted by Denplan
The research found that 30% of parents believe decay in children is acceptable, whilst 26% said they have found it difficult to regulate children’s sugar consumption.
Of the parents surveyed, 29% believed that painful oral health conditions, such as tooth decay, are the result of family history, and 18% said they take their child to see the dentist once a year as soon as their first tooth appears.
Henry Clover, chief dental officer at Denplan, said in regards to the research: “Whilst parents have the best of intentions with their children’s dental health, our research shows it can be hard for parents to keep up good habits with a backdrop of hidden sugars in our food and drinks, and children’s reluctance to follow a good oral health routine.
The ‘Big Summer Brush-Up’ has been launched for the second year, a campaign which encourages families to practise brushing techniques with children.
Run by Denplan, the national campaign will run throughout July and August and hopes to raise awareness of oral health in children along with improving their brushing technique by encouraging them to practise. Katie Piper is the campaign’s celebrity Mum ambassador this year.
“Denplan’s Big Summer Brush-Up campaign, along with the accompanying materials Denplan has produced, has been created to help practices support and guide families on their oral healthcare,” Henry Clover stated. “Providing the right advice and encouragement from an early age or even from when a child’s first tooth appears, could make a lifetime of difference when it comes to their oral health.”
