Tooth decay in young children could be reduced if fizzy drinks manufacturers added calcium to their recipes, the British Dental Health Foundation said last week. The oral health charity said recent research had shown that modifying the recipe of a fizzy blackcurrant drink had cut the risk to children's teeth and that other studies had shown that adding calcium to cola drinks had a similar impact in preventing erosion of tooth enamel. According to the Foundation, more than half of children aged five and six have some erosion of their milk teeth, while more than a quarter of children aged 11 or older have some damage to their permanent teeth. The UK last year consumed 6,280m litres of fizzy drinks - an average of two litres per person each week. Free advice is available on the Foundation's dental helpline on 0845 063 1188 or at www.dentalhelpline.org.uk.
Tooth decay in young children could be reduced if fizzy drinks manufacturers added calcium to their recipes, the British Dental Health Foundation said last week. The oral health charity said recent research had shown that modifying the recipe of a fizzy blackcurrant drink had cut the risk to children's teeth and that other studies had shown that adding calcium to cola drinks had a similar impact in preventing erosion of tooth enamel.
According to the Foundation, more than half of children aged five and six have some erosion of their milk teeth, while more than a quarter of children aged 11 or older have some damage to their permanent teeth. The UK last year consumed 6,280m litres of fizzy drinks - an average of two litres per person each week. Free advice is available on the Foundation's dental helpline on 0845 063 1188 or at www.dentalhelpline.org.uk.
