Tooth decay hits 23,000 children

neARLY 2,000 children are being hospitalised with tooth decay every month, figures show.

More than 23,500 children aged five to nine were admitted to hospital last year because of rotten teeth.

Matthew Garrett, of the Royal College of surgeons of england, said: ‘it is likely that lockdown will have had a damaging effect on children’s oral health.’

there were 23,529 hospital admissions for tooth decay among five to nine-yearolds in 2019/20, down from 25,702 in 2018/19. extractions take place in hospital when the severity of decay means the child must be put under general anaesthetic.

experts say these are avoidable and more must be done to stop decay, such as extending the sugar tax to include milkshakes.

THE children’s author who wrote the classic bedtime story Guess How Much I Love You has died at the age of 77. Sam McBratney, who was born in Belfast, died last Friday, his publisher Walker Books said. His 1994 picture book, which tells the story of two nutbrown hares as they declare their affection for one another, has sold more than 50million copies. It has been translated into 57 languages. McBratney described his book as ‘a lighthearted little story designed to help a big one and a wee one enjoy the pleasure of being together’. The author, who wrote more than 50 books for children and young adults, is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maralyn, three children and six grandchildren.