USA - Childhood tooth decay on the rise
Childhood tooth decay on the rise
11:39 AM PDT on Saturday, July 14, 2007
By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News
Four-year-old Brittany is just learning she'll need a new filling. It will be her fifth. SEATTLE – What starts out as a simple toothache could be bad for your child's overall health. And it affects many more preschoolers than most people think. Four-year-old Brittany is just learning she'll need a new filling. It will be her fifth. Dr. Chris Delecki, director of Odessa Brown Children's Dental Clinic, has seen many children like her. He says parents may not think of tooth decay in baby teeth as a problem, but they could be missing signs that a child is in chronic pain. "Children are very quiet, and they seldom complain," Delecki said. "Our barometer usually for children is when they start waking up at night with a toothache." According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay affects a child's motivation to learn, and even ability to eat. The number of children at risk is climbing. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals 28 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 have tooth decay. It's not surprising, says Delecki. "We do know that sugar consumption continues to climb in this country per individual," Delecki said. Delecki says parents can prevent most tooth decay by cutting down on juices, serving water with snacks and cleaning children's teeth daily. For infants, a cloth or a toothbrush without fluoride works well. There's something else Delecki passes along to parents, a surprising scientific finding: "Infants and toddlers, about 50-plus percent get their bacteria that cause decay from their mom," Delecki said. That's because moms can pass germs that cause tooth decay by sharing utensils with a child, or even giving their child a kiss. It's a good reason for moms to take care of their own dental needs for the sake of their children's. Experts say until a child is 7 or 8, parents should do the brushing for them. The government report showed tooth decay in older children is decreasing as more are getting dental sealants. Experts say cutting down on candy and soda pop and learning to floss can help even more kids.
Includes video
Seattle Washing has been fluoridated since 1968: NYSCOF
11:39 AM PDT on Saturday, July 14, 2007
By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News
Four-year-old Brittany is just learning she'll need a new filling. It will be her fifth. SEATTLE – What starts out as a simple toothache could be bad for your child's overall health. And it affects many more preschoolers than most people think. Four-year-old Brittany is just learning she'll need a new filling. It will be her fifth. Dr. Chris Delecki, director of Odessa Brown Children's Dental Clinic, has seen many children like her. He says parents may not think of tooth decay in baby teeth as a problem, but they could be missing signs that a child is in chronic pain. "Children are very quiet, and they seldom complain," Delecki said. "Our barometer usually for children is when they start waking up at night with a toothache." According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay affects a child's motivation to learn, and even ability to eat. The number of children at risk is climbing. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals 28 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 have tooth decay. It's not surprising, says Delecki. "We do know that sugar consumption continues to climb in this country per individual," Delecki said. Delecki says parents can prevent most tooth decay by cutting down on juices, serving water with snacks and cleaning children's teeth daily. For infants, a cloth or a toothbrush without fluoride works well. There's something else Delecki passes along to parents, a surprising scientific finding: "Infants and toddlers, about 50-plus percent get their bacteria that cause decay from their mom," Delecki said. That's because moms can pass germs that cause tooth decay by sharing utensils with a child, or even giving their child a kiss. It's a good reason for moms to take care of their own dental needs for the sake of their children's. Experts say until a child is 7 or 8, parents should do the brushing for them. The government report showed tooth decay in older children is decreasing as more are getting dental sealants. Experts say cutting down on candy and soda pop and learning to floss can help even more kids.
Includes video
Seattle Washing has been fluoridated since 1968: NYSCOF
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