Blackburn with Darwen families are being urged to keep their teeth and mouths healthy by visiting their dentist.
A new campaign, called Stop the Rot, has been started to remind people that there are NHS dentists available in the borough.
People in Blackburn with Darwen have among the worst teeth in the country.
Other shocking statistics include the borough's young children have, on average, more than two rotten teeth by the age of five.
The campaign recommends parents start taking their children to the dentist from birth and make sure older children have regular check-ups.
Older people are also urged to go to the dentist to make sure their mouths are healthy especially as the risk of mouth cancer gets greater as you grow older.
Even those with dentures are urged to pop along to the dentist.
Dominic Harrison, the borough’s director of public health, said: “Our dental health statistics speak for themselves.
“ Our borough has amongst the worst teeth in the country. On average, children in the borough have more than two rotten teeth by the age of five
“Stop the rot is a good campaign aimed at getting the message out there about the importance of going to the dentist from the cradle to the grave.
“Prevention is better than the cure so I would urge all families to go the dentist regularly and stop the rot.”
“There are NHS dentists available in the borough. So please call the NHS dental health helpline on 0845 53 33 230.”
For more information, visit www.bwd.nhs.uk
