Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admission for children aged 5–9 in England. Learn why baby teeth matter and how healthy habits established early can protect your child's oral health for years to come.
Many parents assume that baby teeth aren't especially important because they will eventually fall out. In reality, your child won't lose all of their first teeth until around 12 years old. These are the teeth that help them learn to eat, learn to talk and smile with confidence throughout childhood. Far from being 'just baby teeth', they play a vital role in your child's health and development.
If baby teeth are damaged by decay or lost too early, it can affect how a child eats, speaks and how their adult teeth eventually emerge.
Poor oral health can also have a significant impact on a child's quality of life. Tooth decay can cause pain, infection, difficulty eating and disrupted sleep. In severe cases, treatment may require hospital admission and dental extractions under general anaesthetic. These procedures can be distressing for both children and parents and are often the result of a disease that is largely preventable.
The good news is that healthy habits established early can make a lasting difference. Brushing baby teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste as soon as they appear, attending regular dental check-ups and encouraging healthy eating and drinking habits all help to protect growing smiles. While oral health may seem like a small part of childhood, the foundations laid in the early years can influence dental health for life.
Did you know?
Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admission for children aged 5–9 in England.
More than 21,000 children aged 5–9 were admitted to hospital because of tooth decay in 2024/25, making it the number one reason for hospital admission in this age group.
Nearly 34,000 children and young people needed teeth removed because of decay in 2024/25.
That's around 93 decay-related tooth extractions every day in NHS hospitals across England.
Most childhood tooth decay is preventable.
Experts agree that regular toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and establishing healthy habits early can dramatically reduce the risk of tooth decay.