PESHAWAR, Oct 15: Lack of awareness about oral and dental hygiene are the two basic reasons for tooth decay amongst children, a study said.

The examination of 250 children performed at City School here on Tuesday. Dr Imran Tajik held a free dental camp for children of the school.

The aim was to create awareness about preventive dentistry, oral hygiene and also to demonstrate effective dental cleaning techniques, a press release said.

Students of Gandhara Dental College assisted Dr Tajik and Dr Faria Imran in their endeavours. The doctors examined 250 students at the school and discovered that most of the children had dental cavities while others had nursery tooth problems.

“Parents spend a lot of money on buying clothes and toys for their children but take little interest in taking care of their oral hygiene,” Ms Imran said. “A smile can make or break personality,” she remarked.

She was of the opinion that parents gave children the kind of food which was unhealthy comprising mainly of soft and sticky substances. “Children don’t get fibrous diet, fruits or cereals,” she said.

“Oral hygiene is going down with most people ending up getting their third molar extracted,” she said.

The doctor impressed upon parents and their children to pay particular attention to diet, good oral hygiene and regular checkups.