Five-year-olds in Brighton and Hove have England’s healthiest teeth

Children starting at state schools in Brighton and Hove have less tooth decay than anywhere else in the country.

One in eight – or 12.5 per cent – had signs of decay in at least one tooth, or had had a filling or a tooth taken out, according to Public Health England.

This compared with a national average of 27.9 per cent – or more than a quarter.

Tom Scanlon, the director of public health for Brighton and Hove, said: “This is great news.”

Dr Scanlon praised the hard work being carried out in children’s centres and by early years services, health visitors and NHS dental health specialists.

He said: “NHS specialists attend baby groups to give advice to parents on things like the amount of sugar in foods and encouraging children to drink water and not juice.

“Brighton and Hove City Council’s health visitors take dental health very seriously and give out free toothbrushes to families.

“Advice is given to parents at the first sign of a tooth on how to soothe the baby and then how to look after the new tooth.”

He said that health visitors tried to encourage teeth cleaning to be treated as a fun time and a good time rather than as a struggle and a time of conflict.

He added: “The dental health specialists also give presentations to nurseries and playgroups about the importance of dental hygiene.

“Many will encourage children to brush teeth while at nursery.”