Kids’ teeth take a sugar hit: Decay and rot on rise as parents let kids fill up on treats

ALMOST 60 per cent of children aged over eight have at least one filling, with tooth decay now affecting children in nearly half of the nation’s families in the past year.

It comes as a third of parents admit allowing their children to have soft drinks, juice and energy drinks at least four times a week.

As well, 59 per cent of parents are saying they find it difficult to get children to brush their teeth twice a day.

The Australian Dental ­Association figures, released ahead of Dental Health Week from next Monday, found the average Aussie consumes more than double the world’s average 17 teaspoons of sugar every day.

Not surprisingly, 39 percent of parents believe they need to set a better example for their kids when it comes to oral healthcare.

“It’s common for parents and extended family to offer children a ‘treat’ to reward good behaviour or simply in response to children’s ‘pester power’,” Oral Health Committee chairman Peter ­Alldritt said.....

Mainly fluoridated Australia.