How Can I Prevent Early Childhood Tooth Decay?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the recognized leader in children’s oral health, emphasizes that the best way to decrease children’s tooth decay is by visiting a dentist early in life. The AAPD recommends that each child should have an established dental home by his/her first birthday. Data from the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows that many young children do not receive the proper oral care they need to promote optimum oral health. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, yet 90 percent of all tooth decay is preventable. The AAPD recommends that parents adopt the following practices to help prevent tooth decay in young children:

• Year-one dental visit – Dental visits should begin around six months but no later than one year, or with the eruption of a child’s first tooth. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence.
• Fluoride use – Young children need fluoride to help developing teeth grow strong. Fluoride also helps prevent tooth decay in older children when used on a regular basis. Children who primarily drink bottled water may not be receiving the fluoride needed. Talk to your pediatric dentist about your child’s fluoride needs.
• Healthy eating habits – Parents should ensure their children are eating a balanced diet and limit the frequency of snacking which can increase a child’s risk of developing cavities. In order to prevent cavities, parents should limit the child’s number of snacks and the amount of time each child snacks throughout the day.

“Proper preventive care, fluoridation use and a balanced diet are key to the oral and overall health of every child. When kids are exposed to sugar for extended periods, they are at a higher risk of tooth decay. If left untreated, this puts these young children at increased risk for pain and infection, which can lead to missed school, lost sleep and loss of appetite.” – AAPD President Dr. Phil H. Hunke, D.D.S., M.S.D. For more information about how to keep children’s teeth healthy, visit www.aapd.org.