Big drop in kids' teeth pulled out in Glasgow

Glasgow's children are smiling better than ever with a huge reduction in the number of teeth pulled out.

New figures show that extractions of kids’ teeth have been cut in half since the Millennium.

A number of initiatives in schools and nurseries have helped improve dental health leading to less decay. However the city still has a high level of decay and the number of pupils starting school with signs of rot is still a concern.But according to the statistics there has been an undoubted improvement.

The figures released by Health Secretary in response to a parliamentary question show year on year improvement. In 2000/01 when records were first kept the number of teeth pulled out of children’s mouths in the Greater Glasgow health board area was 26,355.

By 2015/16, the latest full year’s figures, the total had dropped to 12,516 a reduction of more than 50%.

While the figures include extractions for orthodontic reasons and trauma the decrease in Glasgow is remarkably higher that other parts of Scotland. In comparison Lothian, including Edinburgh recorded a reduction of 22%, Fife 21% and Tayside, which includes Dundee 24%.

Glasgow City Council working with the health board has implemented a number of initiatives ranging from tooth brushing education to healthy eating all of which can reduce tooth decay.