UK - Wiltshire has one of the worst rates for child tooth decay

hospital compared with the national average in England.

Latest figures suggest children under 10 had teeth removed in hospital 540 times between April 2017 and March 2018.

In 9 out of 10 cases the extractions were to remove rotted teeth by preventable decay - 480 in all.

That gives a rate of 739 such procedures per 100,000 population far higher than the average across England which is 425 per 100,000.

In Hampshire the picture is better with young children having teeth extracted 220 times giving a rate of 76 procedures per 10,000, one of the lowest in the country.

Across England, 32,000 under-11s had rotting teeth removed last year, and two out of five children were less than six years old.

The Royal College of Surgeons called the figures "horrifying", while health experts are urging parents to cut down their children's sugar intake.

Professor Michael Escudier, from the RCS, said:

"Tens of thousands of young children are having to go through the distressing experience of having their teeth removed under general anaesthetic for a problem that is 90% avoidable."

The British Dental Association also said the official numbers are likely to underestimate the true scale of the problem.

PLEA TO CUT SUGAR INTAKE:

Most children are consuming more than double the daily recommended sugar intake of five cubes, according to Public Health England, which can have a serious impact on oral health.

PHE dental lead, Dr Sandra White, advised parents to "make a swap when you next shop",replacing sugary drinks, yoghurts and breakfast cereals with low-sugar alternatives.

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regularly visiting the dentist can also prevent tooth decay.

Dr White added:

"Small, consistent changes like these can have the biggest impact on children's teeth."