A new federal report shows that although cavities in school-age kids and teens have decreased, younger kids still aren't doing so well in the dental health department — with more toddlers and preschoolers getting cavities in their baby teeth today than 20 years ago.
Researchers used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics to compare the dental health of two groups of kids, teens, and adults — the first from 1988–1994, the second from 1999–2004. According to the report, decay in baby teeth is up for young children (from 24% to 28% among 2- to 5-year-olds), but decay in adult teeth is down for older kids (from 25% to 21% in 6- to 11-year-olds and 68% to 59% among teens).
Baby teeth (also called primary, temporary, milk, or falling-off teeth) begin to develop before birth and start falling out when a child is around 6 years old. They're replaced by a set of 32 adult teeth (also called secondary or permanent teeth).
When bacteria and food aren't brushed away, acid collects on the teeth, softening their enamel until a hole — or cavity — forms. Cavities in school-age kids have decreased a lot since the early 1970s, but cavities (or dental carries) still remain the "most prevalent chronic disease of childhood," according to the researchers.
What This Means to You
Although baby teeth fall out, they play a key role in the health of the permanent teeth that take their place. So it's important to try to prevent cavities and treat them as soon as possible if and when they do crop up.
Dental care should start even before kids get that first baby tooth. To help keep kids' cavities to a minimum:
- Run a damp washcloth over your baby's gums daily.
- For infants, use an infant toothbrush or gauze to clean teeth as they come in. Use water without toothpaste or infant toothpaste without fluoride.
- Teach kids proper brushing techniques early on (like brushing both the teeth and gums up and down instead of side to side). Let them practice brushing, but make sure you give the teeth a good cleaning yourself.
- Kids can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste at around 2 or 3 years old. Always supervise and make sure they spit the toothpaste out.
- Don't put kids to bed — or let them continuously walk around with — a bottle or cup of juice, milk, or breast milk. These liquids just pool around the teeth, which can quickly lead to baby bottle tooth decay (or bottle mouth).
- Limit or avoid fruit juice and sugary drinks.
- Talk to your doctor about fluoride supplements (drops, tablets, or vitamins) if you have well water or live in an area with a non-fluoridated water supply.
- Kids should have their first dental visit at about age 3. You can schedule an appointment earlier if you have any concerns about your child's dental health.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2007
Source: "Trends in Oral Health Status: United States, 1988–1994 and 1999–2004: Data From the Continuous National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES)," U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, April 2007.
