Children's Dental Disease Overview Thanks to water fluoridation, fluoridated toothpaste, improved oral hygiene and increased dental visits, there have been tremendous declines in childhood cavities. However, the chronic infectious disease that causes cavities remains second only to the common cold in terms of prevalence in children. That is why it is so important that young children see a dentist-so the dentist can provide parents with information on children's oral hygiene and so children's tooth decay can be prevented or treated while it is in the earliest stages. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children see a dentist no later than their first birthday, yet only 3 out of 5 children have seen a dentist before kindergarten. By then, over half (52 percent) of 6-8 year olds have tooth decay, according to the Healthy People 2000 oral health update. Unlike a cold, tooth decay does not go away; it only gets worse. Pain from untreated dental disease makes it difficult for children to eat, sleep and pay attention in school.it affects their self-esteem. Many children lack access to dental care, which is a critical component in achieving good oral health. The ADA founded Give Kids A Smile to raise public awareness of what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a "silent epidemic" of dental disease and to encourage parents, politicians and people who care about children to address this issue in their communities. A substantial proportion of decay in young children goes untreated, and key children's oral health indicators are slipping. * Nearly half of tooth decay in children ages 2-9 is untreated. * The Healthy People 2000 oral health indicators show an increase in the percentage of children who have untreated cavities (from 28 percent in 1986 to 31 percent in 1995) and a decrease in the percentage of children who see a dentist before kindergarten (from 66 percent in 1986 to 63 percent in 1995). * "Early Childhood Caries" (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay)-a particularly severe form of rampant decay in toddlers-continues to be highly prevalent in many Native American and minority communities. (Public Health Reports Volume 110) * Parents know it is a problem. * Among parents who feel that their children have unmet health care needs, 57 percent report that an unmet need is for dental care compared with 12 percent for vision or prescription. (1997 National Health Interview Survey) Cavity Prevention Tips The American Dental Association (ADA) advises parents to teach children the importance of oral hygiene at an early age, so when they grow up they will continue good habits that will contribute to their overall health. Oral hygiene, just like diet and exercise, should be factored together when teaching children how to keep themselves healthy. The American Dental Association offers these age-by-age tips: Babies, Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers * After each feeding, clean the baby's gums with a clean wet gauze pad or washcloth. * When teeth start to appear, brush them with a child's size toothbrush and plain water. Look for toothbrushes that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. They have been evaluated by the ADA for safety and effectiveness. * Begin flossing when at least two teeth begin to touch. * Start dental visits by the child's first birthday. Make visits regularly. If you think your child has dental problems, take the child to the dentist as soon as possible. * Brush teeth of children over age two with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and make sure to floss daily. Look for toothpastes that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. They have been evaluated by the ADA for safety and effectiveness. * Children should be supervised while brushing to keep them from swallowing the toothpaste. School-Age Children and Adolescents * Until they are six or seven years old, continue to brush your children's teeth twice a day with a child's size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Continue to assist with flossing as needed. Look for dental products that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. They have been evaluated by the ADA for safety and effectiveness. * By age six or seven, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day but often require supervision until about age 10 or 11, to make sure they are doing a thorough job. Since each child is different, your dentist can help you determine whether your child is brushing and flossing properly. * Visit the dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. * Ask the dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts. * Adolescents may need reminders about practicing good oral hygiene, the importance of regular dental check ups and making nutritious food and beverage choices.
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