Bad Childhood Experiences 'Toxic' For Teeth

A dental health charity is warning bad childhood experienced can have what they're calling a 'toxic effect' on teeth.

The British Dental Health Foundation found that children are twice as likely to suffer gum disease, decay and missing teeth if they suffer unhappy experiences. Research published in the journal of Community Dentistry Oral and Epidemiology has provided strong evidence for reinforcing claims that socioeconomic factors have a divisive role to play in the health of children.

Some of the experiences measured by researchers included the child being subject to a parental divorce, a parent spending time in jail, household income and education of the parent.  Exposure to domestic violence, witness to drug and alcohol abuse and living with someone who suffers from mental illness, suicidal tendencies or depression, was also evaluated in relation to dental health. 

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, said:

“A positive home environment is crucial for a child’s development in many aspects of their life, including their dental health.  It is vital that we continue to offer support for families, individual parents and the children themselves, to ensure their upbringing is as comfortable and stress free as possible. It is important that screening for adverse childhood experiences in dental visits continues to be improved so future research can focus on re?ning intervention plans and minimising dental health disparities.

"Whether it’s their first tooth or their first visit to the dentist, a child’s early experiences of oral health can impact on the rest of their lives.  That’s why it’s so important to teach them about their mouths and introduce them to good habits as soon as possible. In addition to offering support to families, it is important that we work with nurseries and schools too.  We all need to be more aware of how we can help to reduce the chances of a child developing poor oral health."

A recent study by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, looking into the dental health of children in the UK, has also revealed around one in four children are starting school with visible signs of tooth decay. In primary schools across the United Kingdom, around eight or nine children in every class have already developed tooth decay, which is around a quarter of a million children.

A recent study by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, looking into the dental health of children in the UK, has also revealed around one in four children are starting school with visible signs of tooth decay.

It's recommended kids get their teeth checked regularly from age 2-and-a-half.