THERE were more than a dozen hospital admissions in Cumberland to remove children's decaying teeth last year, new figures show.

It comes as the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said the state of children's oral health is "nothing short of egregious".

Figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities show there were an estimated 50 total hospital admissions in Cumberland for children's tooth extraction in the year to March 2023.

Of these, about 15 (rounded to the nearest five) were extractions for tooth decay.

In November last year, Labour candidate for Carlisle Julie Minns described the dental situation in the city as 'increasingly desperate'.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron also blasted the state of dentistry in Cumbria in parliament.

Overall, the rate of tooth extractions in Cumberland was 89 per 100,000 children – below the national rate of 360 per 100,000.

In Cumberland, about 32 per cent of 10 to 11 year olds had experienced tooth decay.

Natalie Carman, clinical director of specialist dental services at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said:

"It’s really important that parents encourage children to look after their teeth and for parents to understand what they can do to help reduce tooth decay. Every time you eat sugar of any kind, your teeth are under attack for at least 20 minutes and up to an hour. Tooth decay in children is a much quicker process than in adults as their enamel is much thinner."

Top tips for children:

Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.

Use a smear of toothpaste if under 3 years.

Use a pea-sized amount if 3 years or over.

Drink water and milk between meals to prevent tooth decay.

Anything that fizzes will attack your teeth so avoid fizzy drinks.

Don’t add juice in your child’s water bottle (because you are adding sugar).