Dentist warning on hidden sugars causing decay in SA children’s teeth

New figures reveal how many South Aussie kids are having teeth pulled early. But experts say there’s a simple way parents can avoid a rotten situation. See the stats.

Tens of thousands of babies and toddlers are needing fillings or teeth removed, prompting a warning for parents on the dangers of “hidden” sugars in children’s food.

New data reveals more than 31,000 procedures have been performed on South Australian children aged from a few months to four years old in the past decade, including under anaesthetic in hospital.

Dentists have told of cases including a four-year-old who needed almost all their back teeth removed because they were “so badly broken and only the roots were remaining in the gum”.

Families can access free checks ups through SA Dental clinics but fewer than half of eligible children are attending.

Parents are being urged to take advantage of the scheme and book children in from as early as 12 months old.

White lines on the top teeth near the gum line can be an early sign of decay in children's teeth. Picture: SA Dental.

“A lot of young children we see have dental decay, or even abscesses when the decay has reached, and infected, the nerve of the baby tooth,” said Central Market Dental Clinic dentist April Wong.

“A lot of the time the decay is on multiple teeth.”

Dr Wong said decay “can progress very quickly” but there were long wait times for treatment.

“Lots of the kids who are on waiting lists for treatment are in pain,” she said.

Dr Wong encouraged parents to “watch out for hidden sugar” in children’s food.

“Just because something does not taste sweet does not meant it does not contain sugar,” she said.

“Read the nutrition labels to check how much sugar is in their food.”

In total more than 333,000 fillings and 151,000 tooth removals have been performed on children aged up to 17 in SA Dental clinics over the past decade.

SA Dental says the average number of rotten teeth in the mouths of young children, aged up to six years old, has risen from 2.3 in 2013 to 3.1 last year.

“Tooth decay is the most common disease among children, with some children requiring hospital admission for dental extractions under general anaesthetic,” a SA Dental spokesperson said.

Mum and dental hygienist Tina Richardson has started teaching daughter Ava, 3, healthy brushing habits from a young age. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mum of two Tina Richardson has instilled healthy brushing habits from the start with daughter Ava, 3, and son Noah, 16 months.

“With really young kids it’s more about habit and introducing them to a toothbrush rather than waiting until they’re 3 or 4,” said Mrs Richardson, who is a dental hygienist with Central Market Dental Clinic.

“Of course we give the kids treats … but Ava also knows if I get a treat I need to brush my teeth really well.”

Mrs Richardson understood it could be difficult to get children to brush their teeth and encouraged parents to try to make it fun with songs or stories.

“It’s about doing the best you can,” she said.

“Ava went through a phase where she loved me telling her a story while I brushed her teeth.

“She wants to be independent so in the morning I give her the toothbrush and she’s in control of that and then I do a really good brush at night.”

Originally published as Dentist warning on hidden sugars causing decay in SA children’s teeth