Stop the Rot! East Lancashire children have fillings before starting school (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Stop the Rot! East Lancashire children have fillings before starting school

9:27am Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Lisa Woodhouse, Assistant picture editor

ONE in six children have fillings in their milk teeth before they even start school, according to a new report.

The study also shows almost a quarter only brush their teeth once a day, while some don't brush at all.

One in six mums say their child has at least three fillings, while an estimated almost one million under-fives in the UK have at least two fillings in their milk teeth, 36 per cent.

That's according to a new study which also shows that almost half of kids under 12 have been told they have dental decay, one of most preventable diseases in the UK.

The research also reveals that one in a hundred mums have kids suffering from gum disease – traditionally an adult condition – and the same amount of kids have at least five fillings.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said the figures did not come as a surprise.

He said: “The problem is a result of a poor diet, sweets and sugary soft drinks. Parents have a responsibility to ensure their children clean their teeth.”

Earlier this month calls for people to register with a dentist were made by Blackburn with Darwen PCT after it was revealed that almost half of the people living in some areas of East Lancashire are not signed up to a dentist.

According to a health questionnaire only 56 per cent of respondents in Darwen said they were registered with a dentist.

Blackburn with Darwen PCT confirmed that children in the area have some of the worst teeth in the country. The authority has just launched a campaign called Stop the Rot.

Dominic Harrison, director of public health, said: “Our dental health statistics speak for themselves.

“Our borough has amongst the worst teeth in the country. On average, children in the borough have more than two rotten teeth by the age of five.

“Prevention is better than the cure so I would urge all families to go the dentist regularly and stop the rot.”

Of 183 parents surveyed locally 24 had children with one filling, and 14 had children with two fillings.

Around 30 per cent, 37 parents, said their children only brushed their teeth once a day, while some don’t brush at all.