Kids and cavities seem to go hand
in hand. According to the CDC, 28
percent of children ages 2 through 5 have at least one dental cavity, compared
to 24 percent a decade ago.
Although a 4 percent increase may
not seem like a lot, it represents thousands and thousands of children and
cavities -- as well as a trend in the opposite direction of the last 40 years,
when tooth decay had been on the gradual decline.
So if you have children and
cavities are a concern, here are six easy ways to reduce the risk:
1. Avoid giving your baby juice
or formula at night. The sugar in juice
and formula causes the bacteria in the mouth to produce the acids that cause
baby bottle tooth decay. Use fluoridated water instead.
2. Choose low-fat foods from the
basic food groups. Raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole-grain breads and
low-fat dairy products are great for your child's overall health and their
dental health!
3. If you must, give sweets only
as a dessert. If your child must have sweets, limit it to dessert or following
a main meal. Late-night snacking and frequent snacking are a major culprit of
cavities in children.
4. Invest in a water filter.
Instead of spending extra on bottled water, invest in a filter for your sink,
or a filtered water pitcher. Fluoridated
tap water is an excellent resource to help the battle between children and
cavities.
5. Don't share cups or utensils.
Cavities are contagious. So if you have them, you can pass them onto your child
by sharing cups and utensils.
6. If you smoke, stop. The
University of Rochester's Strong Children's Research Center has discovered a
link between smoking, children and cavities. Results from a study show that
children of parents who smoke are more likely to develop cavities. This is only a correlation, not cause and
effect.
Beyond these easy and inexpensive
ways to prevent cavities in children, you might consider having your dentist
apply sealants to your child’s teeth. Finally,
socialize your kids to brush multiple times a day. If we
can be of help or answer your questions, please feel free to contact us.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
