Parents neglecting their family's teeth and gums are jeopardising far more than just their winning smile, according to a growing body of medical research.
While people recognise the adverse effect bad teeth can have on their breath, self-esteem and others' judgements of them, there is little awareness of the link between poor dental health and serious conditions including strokes, diabetes and heart and lung disease.
The importance of getting the right messages across to parents about their children's dental health is all the greater in the light of the National Dental Survey 2008, and the fact that around half of the UK's under-fives have tooth decay.
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