Tooth Decay Is Kids' Stuff

Tooth Decay Is Kids' Stuff
SUNDAY, Nov. 25 (HealthDay News) -- The dental health ofAmericans is improving as people take better care of their teeth. But thatencouraging trend doesn't extend to some of the country's most vulnerableindividuals -- children.
Studies have found that baby tooth decay is on the rise. One federalreport found that decay in baby teeth among 2- to 5-year-olds increasedfrom 24 percent to 28 percent from 1988 to 2004.
This decay can have unwanted lasting effects on a child's overallheath, ranging from impairment of permanent teeth to systemic illnesscaused by infection from bacteria in the mouth.
Jean Connor, a dental hygienist in Cambridge, Mass., and president ofthe American Dental Hygienists Association, said parents need to teachtheir children that a clean mouth is just as desirable as clean ears orhands or feet.
"It's just another part of the body that must be kept clean," Connorsaid. "If you have a dirty mouth, you're carrying bacteria and infectionsaround."
Baby teeth are often thought of as disposable or temporary. But if leftto decay, those teeth can fill the mouth with bacteria that could harm thepermanent teeth as they come in. And if baby teeth are pulled early due todecay, the permanent teeth behind them can come in crooked.
Oral cleanliness can come from a variety of techniques. Parents shouldteach their kids how to brush and floss and also how to keep their mouthclean by watching what they eat.
This care can start even before a child is born, said Diann Bomkamp, adental hygienist in St. Louis, and president-elect of the American DentalHygienists Association (ADHA).
Expecting mothers can give their unborn children an advantage by takingspecial care of their dental health during pregnancy, Bomkampsaid.
"If the pregnant woman does not have good dental care, she could havemore of the decay-producing bacteria in her mouth, and it's very likelyshe could pass these bugs on to her child," Bomkamp said.
Once the child is born, parents should start keeping the mouth cleaneven before the first baby tooth has erupted.
The ADHA recommends thoroughly cleaning an infant's gums after eachfeeding with a water-soaked infant washcloth or gauze pad to stimulate thegum tissue and remove food.
"Even before they have teeth, you can clean out their mouths and getthe kids used to the idea of it," Connor said.
When the baby's teeth begin to erupt, parents should brush them gentlywith a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using a pea-sized amount offluoridated toothpaste.
At age 2 or 3, a parent can begin to teach their child proper brushingtechniques. However, the child will need help with brushing and flossingup through age 7 or 8. By then, they will have developed the dexterity todo it alone.
Parents also should be cautious about inadvertently sharing their ownmouth's bacteria with their child, through even the most seeminglyinnocuous behavior.
"Decay bugs can be transmitted through sharing food and drink, throughsharing a toothbrush or sharing utensils," Bomkamp said. "Even blowing onfood, your saliva can be transmitted to the child."
Watching what children eat also can help protect them from developingcavities or large amounts of decay bacteria in their mouths. This includesmaking sure that kids are fed regular meals throughout the day, especiallybreakfast, to keep them from feeling the need to snack on unhealthyfoods.
One recent study found that the odds of decay in baby teeth weregreater in the children with poor eating habits. Children who don't eatbreakfast every day had higher levels of tooth decay, the study found, asdid those who don't eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
"If they're eating several snacks a day, they probably aren't eatingfoods that are good for them," Bomkamp said.
Also, don't let a young child go to bed with a bottle, Bomkamp said,and avoid allowing them to run around with sippy cups filled with sugaryjuices.
Another potential problem is the increased use of bottled water, shesaid. Tap water in almost all U.S. cities contains fluoride, which helpsprevent tooth decay. "Most bottled water doesn't have the fluoride levelswe'd like to see," Bomkamp said.
Dental hygienists also urge parents to get their kids in to see adentist as early as possible, within six months of the eruption of theirfirst baby tooth or by their first birthday.
"Parents often don't think to take their child to the dentist untilit's too late to prevent problems," Connor said.
More information
To learn more, visit the AmericanDental Hygienists Association.