Recent surveys show that one million children across the UK have not visited a dentist by the time they reach the age of eight. This statistic comes amid growing discussions about whether to impose a “sugar tax” on fizzy drinks, as there is a growing concern about the amount of sugar consumed in Britain.
Controlling the Sweet Tooth
The British Medical Association recently called for a 20 pence tax on fizzy and fruit drinks in a move to combat the growing crisis in dental health and childhood obesity. Minister of Life Sciences George Freeman and the UK’s Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies have both expressed support for such taxes, but have been ruled out by the Health Secretary and Downing Street.
Statistics show toddlers and teenagers are consuming far more sugar than the recommended daily allowances, with sugary drinks being the chief source. This may be because too many parents are not paying attention to what their children are eating. Constant munching on snacks and sugary drinks and not taking them to see the dentist leads to higher chances of tooth decay.
Sweet Little Children
As dental professionals, we believe in preventative dental care. We encourage parents to bring their children to the practice at an early age to start developing a good dental hygiene habit.
For the tooth decay problem, the common dilemma is that many parents often have little idea that the small candy or the fruit smoothie given to young ones is actually bad for the teeth. Good dental habits start at home, which is why we always educate patients (and their parents) about how they can maintain oral health.
We understand that taking time off work is the main roadblock keeping parents from taking their children to the dentist. This is one reason we allow late afternoon and evening appointments, provided you have set a schedule prior to the visit.
As with most things, the sooner we start treating dental problems, the quicker it can be resolved. Our practice is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm from Monday to Thursday, and to 2:00pm on Fridays. We encourage you to book an appointment at a convenient time.