Don't reward children with chocolate, dentists say

London: Families should receive free toothpaste and toothbrushes, pupils should be banned from sharing birthday cakes with friends and parents told not to sweeten babies' feeding bottles if rising rates of child tooth decay are to be halted, dentists are urging.

Experts want a new approach to tackle the growing number of children, some as young as three, who have to undergo painful extractions. They also want schools to stop rewarding students who do well with chocolate; childminders and nursery staff to ensure that toddlers brush their teeth twice a day; and a big increase in the number of children receiving fluoride varnish.

The call comes from Dr Gill Davies and Dr Colette Bridgman, dental public health specialists who work for Manchester's NHS primary care trust.

Regular check-ups

Writing in the British Dental Journal, they demand that parents play the key role in getting their offspring into good dental hygiene habits from soon after they are born by not giving them high-sugar foods and drinks, ensuring they have regular check-ups and cleaning their teeth regularly.

"It is the parents who have influence over food and diet choices, purchasing and use of toothpaste and the making of appointments for dental care," they write.

"How many children are likely to insist that no more biscuits or sugary drinks be bought for a household?"

While tooth decay in 12 to 14 year olds has fallen over the past 20 years, it has not improved among five year olds.

Only 10 per cent of the UK has fluoridated water.