According
to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), tooth decay is one of the
most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States.
Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and infections that may lead to
problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. And according
to recent British research, millions of parents are putting their
children’s health at risk because they don’t know or understand
basic dental facts.
Common
Misconceptions
Shockingly,
25% of adults don’t think it matters if their kids develop cavities
in their baby teeth, and admit to a lack of knowledge about oral
health in children. And nearly one-third of parents wait until their
children have all their milk teeth before taking them to the dentist
for the first time, according to a study of 1,000 parents with kids
under 13.
Typically,
these parents think that baby teeth do not matter. But the truth is
that they are essential for speech, the structure of the face and
holding space for the adult teeth to erupt into. If there is decay it
can lead to infection, discomfort and potentially damage the
permanent teeth below. It is essential that parents regularly take
their children to the dentist as soon as their baby has their first
tooth or turns one – whichever is sooner.
Furthermore,
more than half of parents in my practice stop helping their children
brush their teeth too early, and until I discuss it with them, about
two-thirds of my patients had no idea what kind of toothbrush their
child should be using. Parents also admit to confusion over fluoride
in toothpaste, with half saying they don’t check or wouldn’t know
how much should be in their toothpaste.
One
in 10 parents would happily give their child a drink of fruit juice
after brushing their teeth and before going to bed. And almost
one-third would happily give their young ones a glass of milk before
bed, which is now understood to be a cause of tooth decay due to the
natural sugars it contains – especially after teeth-brushing time.
The
Results of These Misconceptions
The
CDC lists the following statistics:
-
About 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.
-
1 of 7 (13%) adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.
-
The percentage of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years with untreated tooth decay is twice as high for those from low-income families (25%) compared with children from higher-income households (11%).
The
good news is that tooth decay is preventable. Fluoride varnish, a
high concentration fluoride coating that is painted on teeth, can
prevent about one-third (33%) of decay in the primary (baby) teeth.
Children living in communities with fluoridated tap water have fewer
decayed teeth than children who live in areas where their tap water
is not fluoridated. Similarly, children who brush daily with
fluoride toothpaste will have less tooth decay.
Applying
dental sealants to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth is another
way to prevent tooth decay. Studies in children show that sealants
reduce decay in the permanent molars by 81% for 2 years after they
are placed on the tooth and continue to be effective for 4 years
after placement.
What
Parents and Caregivers Can Do
Here
are some things you can do to ensure good oral health for your child:
-
Protect your child's teeth with fluoride.
-
Use fluoride toothpaste.
-
If your child is younger than age 6, watch your child brush their teeth. Make sure your child only uses a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spits it out rather than swallows it.
-
If your child is younger than age 2, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless your doctor or dentist tells you to.
-
Learn more about fluoride toothpaste and fluorides by talking to your dentist, or researching on the American Dental Association website.
-
Talk to your pediatrician, family doctor, nurse, or dentist about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears in the mouth.
-
If your drinking water is not fluoridated, ask your dentist, family doctor, or pediatrician if your child needs oral fluoride supplements, like drops, tablets, or lozenges.
-
Talk to your child's dentist about dental sealants. Sealants protect teeth from decay.
-
Have your child visit a dentist for a first checkup by age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you live in West Hartford, New Britain, or Hartford County, call us at 860-561-2121.
You can find us on the Web at: DoctorBasil.com
Keep smiling,
Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut. She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121
