Childhood tooth decay reduced

Children and teenagers have less decay in their teeth than ten
years ago, but plaque and gum disease are on the rise, a new survey
reveals.

Obvious tooth decay has fallen among all age groups, but there
are still significant inequalities between children in different
parts of the UK, and between those from deprived and affluent
neighbourhoods.

Children in northern Ireland had the highest levels of tooth
decay and those in England the lowest.

Three quarters of children in all age groups report brushing
their teeth twice daily. Electric toothbrushes are commonly used
and adjuncts such as mouthwashes and dental or sugar-free chewing
gum are used by almost half of 15 year olds.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/Executive_Summary-CDH.PDF