CHILDREN in Birmingham's most deprived areas will get access to a programme to help protect them from tooth decay, the Government has announced.
Supervised toothbrushing will be launched in nurseries and primary schools in partnership with teams in Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall.
One in four five-year-olds have suffered from tooth decay in England, with up to one in three in more deprived areas, according to latest figures.
Bournville dentist John Morris said he has had to remove teeth from a baby as young as 18 months and once had to remove all of a three-year-old toddler’s teeth due to tooth decay.
"I have seen babies with tooth decay before their first birthday," said John, who also lectures in dentistry at the University of Birmingham.
"If the child is having sugar added to their bottle or feeder, they can develop tooth decay very quickly, almost before their teeth have fully come through.
"Parents think they are doing the best for their child but it actually results in problems.
"There's also a young child, aged three, who had to have all their baby teeth taken out. That's 10 or more teeth.
"It can cause a lot of pain and a lot of infection and swelling. This can be disruptive in all aspects from school attendance and learning to general development."
John said that early detecti...
Supervised toothbrushing will be launched in nurseries and primary schools in partnership with teams in Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall.
One in four five-year-olds have suffered from tooth decay in England, with up to one in three in more deprived areas, according to latest figures.
Bournville dentist John Morris said he has had to remove teeth from a baby as young as 18 months and once had to remove all of a three-year-old toddler’s teeth due to tooth decay.
"I have seen babies with tooth decay before their first birthday," said John, who also lectures in dentistry at the University of Birmingham.
"If the child is having sugar added to their bottle or feeder, they can develop tooth decay very quickly, almost before their teeth have fully come through.
"Parents think they are doing the best for their child but it actually results in problems.
"There's also a young child, aged three, who had to have all their baby teeth taken out. That's 10 or more teeth.
"It can cause a lot of pain and a lot of infection and swelling. This can be disruptive in all aspects from school attendance and learning to general development."
John said that early detecti...
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Birmingham Mail (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 17, 2025