Dental Decay In Children “Hits Epidemic Proportions”

A recent local news report on King5.com’s Healthlink, illustrates how serious the problem of dental decay is in children. It also shows a simple strategy for parents to reduce the risk of tooth decay in their kids:

“Tooth decay is largely preventable, but it remains one of the most common diseases of childhood — five times as common as asthma, and seven times as common as hay fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC says 42% of children ages 2 to 11 have had cavities in baby teeth; 21% of those ages 6 to 11 have had cavities in permanent teeth…”

We support the researchers’ position in the latest NY Times article, “Dental Group Advises Fluoride Toothpaste Before Age 2” and agree with the new A.D.A. recommendations:

•  Begin brushing baby teeth as soon as they appear with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste
•  Increase to a pea-size dollop for children 3 to 6 years old

We also want to tell our parents how essential the following steps are to take with your child:

1. Find a dental home for your child by the time they have shown their first tooth.
2. There is no fluoridation in the Stanwood-Camano community, and a significant part of Arlington has non-fluoridated water. Use fluoridated toothpaste as soon as your kids show their first tooth.
3. Processed foods and beverages usually contain sugars that can convert to decay-forming acids. Neutralize those sugars with water, or toothbrushing (with or without toothpaste) after meals.

Sources:
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AADP) 
American Dental Association (ADA)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)