THE number of tooth extractions in hospital for children aged four and under has risen by almost a quarter in the last decade, new figures show.

Data obtained by the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) shows a 24 per cent rise in the number of extractions in this age group, from 7,444 in 2006/7 to 9,206 in 2015/16.

Overall, there were 84,086 procedures between 2006/07 and 2015/16. In 2015/16, there were 47 extractions in babies under the age of one.

Figures released in November last year by NHS Digital show the percentage of children seen by a dentist in the previous 12 months was 69.2 per cent in Blackburn with Darwen and in the Lancashire County Council area 61.9 per cent.

The national data is set against a 16 per cent rise in the population of children aged four and under over the same period, the RCS said.

Dentist David Hickey of the Southport Road Dental Practice in Chorley said responsibility must lie with parents.

He said: “We are seeing more children including some with complete clearances which is very concerning.

“The reason is sugary snack and drinks.

“I’ve heard parents say ‘but they will only drink cola’ but the children aren’t buying those products themselves.

“I would say that until a child can tie their own shoelaces they should have their teeth cleaned for them.

“Even after that they should be observed cleaning their teeth for two minutes, twice a day.”

Professor Nigel Hunt, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, said: “When you see the numbers tallied up like this it becomes abundantly clear that the sweet habits of our children are having a devastating effect on the state of their teeth."