The Scary Truth About Tooth Decay in Kids

Cavities have always been common in kids, but the issue has gone from problematic to epidemic as tooth decay has become one of the most common childhood diseases today. In fact, 42% of children between the ages of two and eleven have had cavities in baby teeth and almost one-quarter of kids between the ages of six and eleven have had cavities in permanent teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now, it’s become critical to face the damage that tooth decay can do in order to protect our children from problems and pain.

Fortunately, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has started a new education campaign that highlights the dangers of dental decay in children and encourages parents to make prevention a top priority.

In recent years, there has been an enormous increase in childhood tooth decay due to many factors, from kids’ constant attachment to sugary sippy cups to improper daily dental care. Regardless of the cause, this leads to the trouble of tooth decay which can make kids suffer extreme pain and extensive dental damage. In some cases, childhood cavities can be go from dangerous to deadly if the bacteria from tooth decay spreads into the bloodstream.

Thanks to this new education campaign, parents can learn to keep tooth decay away and keep their children’s smiles healthy. The campaign highlights how early detection is the key to prevention and protection by providing these simple steps for stopping tooth decay at every age and every stage.

The ABCs of Children’s Dental Care Between Birth and Two Years

• Before baby teeth emerge, clean your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush every day.

• Once your baby’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a soft tiny toothbrush and a slight smear of fluoridated toothpaste twice a day. This smear of fluoride is small enough to be safe for young children and sufficient enough to strengthen their forming  teeth.

• Only give your children water before bedtime because sugary drinks will expose their tiny teeth to cavity-causing bacteria and acid all night long.

• Schedule the first dental appointment by the first birthday to give kids a head start on healthy teeth.

Top Tooth Tips for Children Ages Two to Five

• Help brush your children’s teeth both morning and night with a pea-sized amount of fluoridate-filled toothpaste. These tots are too young to brush well alone, so parents need to make sure that kids brush carefully and completely.

• Schedule routine cleanings for your children every six months with an expert in family dentistry.

• Start flossing your children’s teeth as soon as two teeth begin touching.

• Keep an eye on your children’s sugar intake and limit their juice serving to less than six ounces per day to curb cavities.

Dental Damage Control for Older Childen

• Supervise your children’s brushing until they are at least seven years old to make sure that they’re brushing their best.

• Teach kids to always follow brushing with flossing.

• Let your children chew sugarless gum with xylitol. Chewing stimulates saliva production to wash away the plaque and particles that can cause cavities.

• Limit your children’s intake of high-energy drinks, super-sized sugary beverages and even juice pouches because their sugars and acids can erode the enamel on teeth and cause cavities. 

The epidemic of childhood tooth decay has brought urgent attention to the dangers and damage of dental decay. Follow these smile-savvy suggestions and encourage other parents to follow your lead to keep your children’s teeth safe and strong.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Peoria, call Maple Shade Dental Group today or make an appointment.