USA - Your children's dental health in decline; sugary diet cited
Your children's dental health in decline; sugary diet cited
By Tina Shah | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
July 31, 2007
Dental health has improved greatly for most Americans over the past 30 years, but dentists are seeing a surprising increase in tooth decay in young children, partly because of sugary foods, according to a new federal report. The report, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that children ages 2 to 5 are lagging in part because of health-care insurance access and socioeconomic factors. But sweet foods, snacks and drinks are the primary culprit, researchers said. "Sodas are a no-no!" said Jupiter dentist Gilda Alonzo. "I don't want to see them drinking sodas."
Twenty-eight percent of kids in this age group had tooth decay in baby teeth, from 1999 and 2004, compared with 24 percent a decade earlier. Meanwhile, tooth decay has declined in teens and adults since the late 1980s. Dentists say that having cavities in baby teeth can make children more prone to decay in their permanent teeth.
Researchers also found that some minorities and low-income people have higher rates of tooth decay than other Americans. Dentists also reported placing 8 percent more dental sealants in children ages 2 to 11 to protect against tooth decay than a decade earlier. Dentists in Broward and Palm Beach counties advise families to brush often and eat right to prevent decay before it becomes a problem. Jason P. Hirsch, a pediatric dentist in Plantation, said nine of 10 times tooth decay is because of poor diets. "A 4-year-old should not be in charge of his own health," said Hirsch, whose office sees as many as 100 kids on Saturdays.
Parents need to monitor their children's sugar intake, snacking and the consumption of processed foods, he said. Hirsch recommends that kids drink milk and fluoridated water and stay away from juices and sodas high in sugar.
Studies show adding fluoride to water leads to stronger teeth less prone to tooth decay, according to Michael Easley, dental coordinator at Florida's Department of Health. Water intake provides more than half the recommended daily dose of fluoride; foods like spinach and seafood are also good sources...........................
By Tina Shah | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
July 31, 2007
Dental health has improved greatly for most Americans over the past 30 years, but dentists are seeing a surprising increase in tooth decay in young children, partly because of sugary foods, according to a new federal report. The report, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that children ages 2 to 5 are lagging in part because of health-care insurance access and socioeconomic factors. But sweet foods, snacks and drinks are the primary culprit, researchers said. "Sodas are a no-no!" said Jupiter dentist Gilda Alonzo. "I don't want to see them drinking sodas."
Twenty-eight percent of kids in this age group had tooth decay in baby teeth, from 1999 and 2004, compared with 24 percent a decade earlier. Meanwhile, tooth decay has declined in teens and adults since the late 1980s. Dentists say that having cavities in baby teeth can make children more prone to decay in their permanent teeth.
Researchers also found that some minorities and low-income people have higher rates of tooth decay than other Americans. Dentists also reported placing 8 percent more dental sealants in children ages 2 to 11 to protect against tooth decay than a decade earlier. Dentists in Broward and Palm Beach counties advise families to brush often and eat right to prevent decay before it becomes a problem. Jason P. Hirsch, a pediatric dentist in Plantation, said nine of 10 times tooth decay is because of poor diets. "A 4-year-old should not be in charge of his own health," said Hirsch, whose office sees as many as 100 kids on Saturdays.
Parents need to monitor their children's sugar intake, snacking and the consumption of processed foods, he said. Hirsch recommends that kids drink milk and fluoridated water and stay away from juices and sodas high in sugar.
Studies show adding fluoride to water leads to stronger teeth less prone to tooth decay, according to Michael Easley, dental coordinator at Florida's Department of Health. Water intake provides more than half the recommended daily dose of fluoride; foods like spinach and seafood are also good sources...........................
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