USA - Sweet tooth trouble: More cavities being seen in younger kids
Sweet tooth trouble: More cavities being seen in younger kids
By Jeanne Millsap For The Herald-News July 17, 2012 12:58PM
A dentist checks the jaw of a 1-year-old. | Submitted by Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation
Updated: July 18, 2012 2:42AM
Dr. Gina Mueller, a Shorewood dentist, said she’s not surprised when she sees young children coming in her office with six or eight or even a dozen cavities. It seems like the past few years, she said, it’s becoming more common for toddlers to develop a mouth-ful of cavities even before their first dental checkup.
“It’s almost more surprising to see a kid without cavities,” she said.
Her fellow dentists at Shorewood Family Dental Center say they are observing the same trend, and they are not alone.
A recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed an increase in cavities in American children ages 2 to 5. With all the dental health and preventative treatment progress in recent decades, that’s the first increase in cavities seen in any age group in 40 years.
Other age groups continue to show improvements in dental health. There are fewer cavities in adolescents. Adults also have fewer cavities, better tooth retention and better periodontal health. Seniors are losing teeth at a slower rate and also have less periodontitis.
‘Acid attack on their teeth’
Some come in to their first dentist appointment with several cavities, many so extensive the little patients must go under general anesthesia to fill them all, as they are too young to sit through the work. Some have to have root canals before they even begin school.
“I do baby root canals all the time,” Mueller said. “When they’re around 3 or younger or if they have multiple cavities, I usually refer them to a pediatric dentist. It depends on how severe the decay is and their age.”
It’s a wake-up call to their parents, Mueller said.
The reasons for the worsening dental health of young children are pretty clear, she said. Many parents today allow their children to snack, or graze, all day long. That gives oral bacteria a rich growing environment, bathed in sugars and carbohydrates.
Constant sipping on fruit juices is just as bad, she added. Many parents think of juice as a healthful alternative to soft drinks or other sugary drinks, but juices also contain a lot of sugar.
“I’m against the whole sippy cup concept,” Mueller said. “They play some, then sip their juice, they play, they sip more juice … It rots their teeth so fast. It’s like an acid attack on their teeth.”
Juice is fine with meals, she explained, when they are going to drink a small quantity along with food, then leave the table and not drink any more. If they are thirsty between meals, parents should give them water.....
Fluoridation is state mandated in Illinois:NYSCOF
By Jeanne Millsap For The Herald-News July 17, 2012 12:58PM
A dentist checks the jaw of a 1-year-old. | Submitted by Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation
Updated: July 18, 2012 2:42AM
Dr. Gina Mueller, a Shorewood dentist, said she’s not surprised when she sees young children coming in her office with six or eight or even a dozen cavities. It seems like the past few years, she said, it’s becoming more common for toddlers to develop a mouth-ful of cavities even before their first dental checkup.
“It’s almost more surprising to see a kid without cavities,” she said.
Her fellow dentists at Shorewood Family Dental Center say they are observing the same trend, and they are not alone.
A recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed an increase in cavities in American children ages 2 to 5. With all the dental health and preventative treatment progress in recent decades, that’s the first increase in cavities seen in any age group in 40 years.
Other age groups continue to show improvements in dental health. There are fewer cavities in adolescents. Adults also have fewer cavities, better tooth retention and better periodontal health. Seniors are losing teeth at a slower rate and also have less periodontitis.
‘Acid attack on their teeth’
Some come in to their first dentist appointment with several cavities, many so extensive the little patients must go under general anesthesia to fill them all, as they are too young to sit through the work. Some have to have root canals before they even begin school.
“I do baby root canals all the time,” Mueller said. “When they’re around 3 or younger or if they have multiple cavities, I usually refer them to a pediatric dentist. It depends on how severe the decay is and their age.”
It’s a wake-up call to their parents, Mueller said.
The reasons for the worsening dental health of young children are pretty clear, she said. Many parents today allow their children to snack, or graze, all day long. That gives oral bacteria a rich growing environment, bathed in sugars and carbohydrates.
Constant sipping on fruit juices is just as bad, she added. Many parents think of juice as a healthful alternative to soft drinks or other sugary drinks, but juices also contain a lot of sugar.
“I’m against the whole sippy cup concept,” Mueller said. “They play some, then sip their juice, they play, they sip more juice … It rots their teeth so fast. It’s like an acid attack on their teeth.”
Juice is fine with meals, she explained, when they are going to drink a small quantity along with food, then leave the table and not drink any more. If they are thirsty between meals, parents should give them water.....
Fluoridation is state mandated in Illinois:NYSCOF
posted by Bill at
9:24 AM
1 Comments:
Juice isn't the only problem I can almost guarantee that soda is a big one. Some parents don't care that they are giving their child a carbonated drink that is likely to both stain and rot their teeth. (my older brother used to give dr. pepper to my niece as a baby)
By
Office For Dental Arts, at 30 July, 2012
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