Twice as many children now go to hospital to have rotten teeth removed than need care for a broken arm, a new report has revealed.
While arm fractures are one of the more common ailments for under-10s, hospital medics are treating twice as many children with rotten teeth, according to data shared with the Press Association.
Between April 2016 and March 2017, there were 34,205 cases of children under the age of 10 needing treatment in hospital in England as a result of tooth decay, the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at The Royal College of Surgeons found.
This compares with 17,043 cases for arm fractures, according to the analysis of NHS Digital data.
Despite the fact that tooth decay is preventable in 90% of cases, it is the most common reason that children aged between five and nine need treatment in hospital, the FDS added.
In 2015/16, there were 25,875 cases of children in this age group needing hospital care for tooth decay.
This rose to 25,923 in 2016/17.
The British Dental Association said the figures were "shocking".
The Department of Health said improving oral health in children is a "priority" for the Government.
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