CHILDREN in the county have a higher rate of tooth decay than the national average, new figures have revealed.

Statistics released by Public Health England (PHE) showed that around 30 per cent of under fives in Cumbria had signs of tooth decay.

That figure was higher than the national benchmark average of 23 per cent.

Following the revelation, Cumbria County Council urged parents to make sure their children did not consume too much sugar.

A spokesman said: “Children consume too much sugar each day and this can have a serious impact on their oral health.

“Excess sugar contributes to unhealthy weight gain, but it can also lead to other issues like painful tooth decay and diabetes.

"It is important that families control the sugar consumption of children.

“Parents can help reduce their children’s sugar intake by making simple swaps when shopping and making sure their children’s teeth are brushed twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

“Small, consistent changes like these can have the biggest impact on children’s teeth.”

Public Health England figures also showed almost nine out of 10 hospital tooth extractions among children aged zero to five were due to preventable tooth decay.

The health body said that nationally 60,000 school days were missed every year for children to get tooth extractions.

The Local Government Association said health funding cuts had to be reversed to tackle the problem.

Ian Hudspeth of the LGA’s community wellbeing board said: "If the Government is serious about tackling tooth decay early, they should use the upcoming Spending Review to reverse the £700m real terms reductions to councils’ public health grants between 2015/16 and 2019/20.

"Councils rely on this grant to commission health visitors, who lead delivery of preventative programmes and are key to promoting good oral health in the early years."

PHE's Change4Life Campaign encourages parents to swap out sugary snacks and drinks.