Kids and cavity prevention
Kids and cavity prevention
Jun 15, 2010
By V. Kim Kutsch, DMD, founder and CEO of CariFree
© Dreamstime.com
The growing incidence of tooth decay in young children has become a national concern as the number of those children affected by dental caries continues to increase. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental caries — the oral biofilm dysfunction that causes cavities — is the No. 1 leading disease that affects children in the United States. Dental caries is so prevalent that it actually occurs five times more frequently than asthma, the second most common childhood disease in America. Unfortunately, many families are uneducated and unfamiliar with dental caries and its causes. They are unaware that cavities are actually caused by a preventable and treatable bacterial disease. As a result, many young children suffer from chronic pain and embarrassment associated with tooth decay.
Several factors contribute to the onset of dental caries in children, the primary aspect being transmission of the disease. Through common acts of nurturing and childrearing, the mother or primary caregiver transfers the cariogenic bacteria to the infant. Originally thought to be one or two pathogenic bacteria, biofilm research now has identified numerous bacteria that play a role in causing dental caries. These bacteria have the common characteristic of thriving in acidic conditions. The vertical transmission of these acid-loving bacteria occurs from mother to child within the first few weeks of life, before the primary teeth have even erupted. In fact, the caries infection has been detected in children as young as 3 months old. Additionally, among other known risk factors, diet plays a major role in dental caries in children. Breastfeeding and bottle nursing can contribute to the disease process when breast milk or sugary or acidic liquids are given to the child on a frequent or at-will basis................................
Long article worth reading.
Jun 15, 2010
By V. Kim Kutsch, DMD, founder and CEO of CariFree
© Dreamstime.com
The growing incidence of tooth decay in young children has become a national concern as the number of those children affected by dental caries continues to increase. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental caries — the oral biofilm dysfunction that causes cavities — is the No. 1 leading disease that affects children in the United States. Dental caries is so prevalent that it actually occurs five times more frequently than asthma, the second most common childhood disease in America. Unfortunately, many families are uneducated and unfamiliar with dental caries and its causes. They are unaware that cavities are actually caused by a preventable and treatable bacterial disease. As a result, many young children suffer from chronic pain and embarrassment associated with tooth decay.
Several factors contribute to the onset of dental caries in children, the primary aspect being transmission of the disease. Through common acts of nurturing and childrearing, the mother or primary caregiver transfers the cariogenic bacteria to the infant. Originally thought to be one or two pathogenic bacteria, biofilm research now has identified numerous bacteria that play a role in causing dental caries. These bacteria have the common characteristic of thriving in acidic conditions. The vertical transmission of these acid-loving bacteria occurs from mother to child within the first few weeks of life, before the primary teeth have even erupted. In fact, the caries infection has been detected in children as young as 3 months old. Additionally, among other known risk factors, diet plays a major role in dental caries in children. Breastfeeding and bottle nursing can contribute to the disease process when breast milk or sugary or acidic liquids are given to the child on a frequent or at-will basis................................
Long article worth reading.
posted by Bill at
10:37 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home