The number of young children having teeth pulled out has risen sharply in the last 10 years.
Over 9,000 children under the age of four have had a tooth extraction in the last year, and 47 of them were babies under a year old, according to The Mirror.
Extractions are up 24 percent in this age group from 2006, with over 34,000 extractions being carried out on kids aged nine and under.
The increase in the number of extractions has been linked to increasing sugar consumption.
Professor Nigel Hunt, faculty dean of dental surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons said that he was shocked by how young some of the children were.
He also warned that excess sugar is causing serious damage to kids teeth.
"The sweet habits of our children are having a devastating effect on the state of their teeth," he said.
"It’s almost certain the majority will be down to tooth decay caused by too much sugar in diets."
He warned parents that having a tooth extracted, even a baby tooth, is cause for concern.
"Removal of teeth, especially in hospital under general anaesthetic, is not to be taken lightly."
“There tends to be an attitude of ‘oh, they are only baby teeth’ but in actual fact, how teeth are looked after in childhood impacts oral health in adulthood," he explained.
"Baby teeth set the pattern for adult teeth, including tooth decay."
However, there was some good news, as Professor Hunt explained that the majority of tooth decay is actually preventable.
"90 percent of tooth decay is preventable through reducing sugar, regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and routine dental visits," he said.
To avoid unnecessary extractions, start taking care of your baby's teeth as soon as they appear and implement a good tooth-brushing routine for older kids.
