Nursery World - Study finds link between poor diet in young children and tooth decay

Young children of parents who cannot afford to put healthy food on the table are significantly more likely to suffer from tooth decay, according to the findings of a new study.

The article published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry, found that pre-school children with poor access to fruit, vegetables, fish and other healthy foods were up to three times more likely to have tooth decay by the age of six.

More than a third (35 per cent) of families admitted they had struggled to provide balanced meals for their children over the last year.

In total, the US-based study found that over half (56 per cent) of all families had cases of untreated tooth decay.

The study also found that families with lower incomes were more likely to purchase foods with added sugars, including sweets, biscuits and soft drinks. These children also consumed more bread and breakfast cereals.

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