Thirteen per cent of three-year-olds in Gravesham suffer from tooth decay, research has revealed and experts are blaming the fizzy stuff.

Public Health England (PHE) published data this week showing the state of kids’ teeth across the nation in a bid to boost oral hygiene.

On average, 12 per cent of English three-year-olds have teeth decay while 14 per cent in London do, roughly in line with Gravesham.

Kids in neighbouring Kent boroughs fare much better with 5 per cent of Dartford tots show decay while in Sevenoaks the figure is only around 3 per cent. 

Eight per cent of Bromley kids and nine per cent in Lewisham have these problems, which researchers blame largely on fizzy drinks.

The survey of 53,640 children found a particular type of tooth decay called Early Childhood Caries - this is decay to the upper front teeth which can be caused by drinking sugary drinks from baby bottles or sipping cups.

Regional director Dr Yvonne Doyle for PHE London said: "Today’s survey shows that whilst many young children do not suffer from tooth problems, there are still improvements to be made in their oral health. 

"Tooth decay is related to teeth being regularly exposed to fermentable carbohydrates, most commonly through eating and drinking too many sugary foods and drinks; factors which also contribute to other public health concerns among London’s children, such as childhood obesity."

How to keep children’s teeth healthy:
 
•    reduce both the amount and how often sugary foods and drinks are given,
•    do not add sugar to weaning foods or drinks,
•    aim to introduce drinking from a free-flow cup from six months of age and stop feeding from a bottle from 12 months of age,
•    start brushing  children’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears and supervise their tooth brushing until they are seven or eight-years-old. Brush children’s teeth twice daily, including just before bed, using a fluoride toothpaste,
•    from the age of three, use only a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, for younger children a smear, 
•    use only sugar-free medicines.

Visit gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england