Nursery World - Positive relationships: A parent's guide to ... oral hygiene

From pregnant mothers to toddlers with their first teeth, oral hygiene affects a child's health, says Dr Nigel Carter BDS LDS (RCS), chief executive, British Dental Health Foundation.

Q: Why is oral healthcare so important?

Looking after your children's oral health is vital to taking care of their teeth, gums and, potentially, their overall health. Research increasingly points toward links between the mouth and the body, and there is evidence that poor oral health can lead to overall health problems later in life.

Inside the mouth itself, there is evidence that tooth decay is beginning to affect more children in the UK under five years old. The younger a child experiences their first dental cavity, the more it affects their lifetime oral health, so it is important to establish a good dental routine early to prevent that first cavity.

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