ACCORDING to the latest Oral Health Survey published by Public Health England today (May 10), 21.5 per cent of five-year-olds in the South West have tooth decay.

In Wiltshire, the percentage of five-year-olds with tooth decay is slightly above average at 21.8 per cent.

Nationally, the number of five-year-olds suffering from tooth decay has dropped to its lowest level in almost a decade, less than 25 per cent of this age range suffers from tooth decay, a 20 per cent drop since 2008.

This continues the downward trend seen since 2008, the first oral health survey of five-year-olds asking parents to opt-in. In 2008, 31 per cent of five-year-olds suffered tooth decay, in 2012 it was 27 per cent.

Dr Sandra White, director of dental public health at Public Health England, said: “This is great news. However, one child with tooth decay is one too many and there is still much inequality in dental health around the country. Tooth decay is painful and too often results in teeth extraction, some under general anaesthetic.

“This is further evidence that we can stop tooth decay in its tracks. Limiting sugary food and drink, supporting children to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regular trips to the dentist, will help prevent a great many more children suffering at the hands of tooth decay.”