Wetherby dentist issues back-to-school warning for parents
A Wetherby dental expert is urging parents not to overlook their children’s dental hygiene as they return to the classroom.
It’s estimated that 15 million school days are missed each year due to dental problems, and research by the Royal College of Surgeons, found 33,976 tooth extractions were carried out in children in 2025 due to tooth decay. This equates to a young person needing a tooth extraction every 15 minutes in the UK.
Dr Pippa Nicholls, Wetherby-based founder of Dimples Oral Care said: “As children go back to school, it’s really important that their dental health doesn’t fall by the wayside.
"With long, busy days and the chaos that can come with returning to school, looking after children’s teeth can often be put on the back burner.
“It’s really important to encourage good dental hygiene from a young age and make it part of the daily routine, even around school.
"The statistics around children’s dental health in the UK are really shocking. It’s so important to prioritise their oral health, to avoid tooth decay which can lead to extraction.”
To help parents get ahead with their children’s oral health this term, Dr Pippa shares her top tips:
1. Make sure kids stay hydrated throughout the school day
"It's really important for kids to stay hydrated during the school day, as this helps maintain saliva flow," says Dr Pippa.
"Saliva is incredibly protective, it washes away food debris, neutralises acids, and supports the natural remineralisation of teeth, which reduces the risk of decay.
“Staying hydrated doesn’t mean drinking sugary flavoured drinks though. Opting for plain or mineral water is the best way to boost hydration without damaging the teeth.”
2. Watch out for hidden sugars in lunchboxes
“Products that look like healthy choices, such as cereal bars and flavoured yoghurts are often highly processed and packed with sugar.
"Instead, choose whole fruits and vegetables, natural yoghurts and wholegrains. These will fuel kids much better throughout the school day, and benefit their teeth.”
3. Don't let the morning rush cut brushing short
“School mornings can be a race against the clock to get to school on time, and teeth brushing can often be the first thing to fall by the wayside.
“If this is happening in your house, make sure you make time for a proper, supervised brush before bed. Bedtime brushing is the most important, as it stops bacteria sitting on teeth overnight. That doesn’t mean morning brushing should be skipped altogether though!”
4. Start the term with a new toothbrush
Dr Pippa continues: “Toothbrushes should be replaced at least every three months, so the start of a new school term is the perfect time for a new one.
“A fresh toothbrush is a small change, but it's an easy one to build into the new term routine."
5. Choose the right toothpaste for your child's age and habits
“Try to avoid using fluoride toothpastes for children’s brushing if you know they have a habit of swallowing their toothpaste. Swallowing fluoride can cause white spots on the teeth due to the enamel structure being affected, this is called fluorosis.
“Instead, choose a toothpaste that contains naturally remineralising and protective ingredients like hydroxyapatite - which is the mineral found in teeth. That way if they do swallow toothpaste from time to time, it is completely safe.”
6. Consider toothpaste flavour
"Brushing is far less of a battle if your child actually likes the taste of their toothpaste," Dr Pippa adds.
“I would always advocate for natural flavours in toothpaste rather than artificial ones. These days, there are great options for products that are naturally flavoured with fruits like peach or strawberry.”
7. Choose a dentist-made gumshield for P.E
“For children playing sport, a properly fitted gumshield is really important.
“A dentist-made gumshield will fit far better than the boil and bite ones that are commonly used. Dentists will also provide you with a case to keep them in - so no more lost gumshields!"