Tooth Decay

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), tooth decay is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases among U.S. children. This is a preventable health problem that begins early. 28% of children aged 2-5 years have already had decay in their primary or baby teeth. By the time they reach 11 years of age, approximately half of children have experienced decay. By the age of 19, tooth decay in permanent teeth affects two-thirds or 68% of adolescents. Low-income children have twice as much untreated decay than children in families with higher incomes. Problems such as pain, dysfunction, underweight, and poor appearance can result greatly reducing a child's capacity to succeed in the educational environment.

A healthy smile is a good indication of a happy child. Oral health experts agree that creating healthy smiles begins in infancy. CDC experts have developed a set of pediatric oral health tips that if followed will help to prevent any child from suffering the embarrassment of tooth decay.

As soon as the first tooth appears, begin cleaning by wiping it every day with a clean, damp cloth. When more teeth come in, switch to a small, soft toothbrush. You can start using toothpaste with fluoride when the child is 2 years old and if your doctor recommends it you can use toothpaste with fluoride even earlier. Do not let a child under the age of 6 use fluoride mouth rinse unless the child's doctor or dentist recommends it.

Check with your child's doctor or dentist about your child's specific fluoride needs. After age 2, most children get the right amount of fluoride to help prevent cavities if they drink water that contains fluoride and brush their teeth twice a day with a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste. If the drinking water does not have enough fluoride parents of children older than 6 months should ask about the need for a fluoride supplement.

Fluoride is important for fighting cavities. But you have to be careful of children younger than 6 years old swallowing too much fluoride. This can cause their permanent teeth to have white spots. Be sure to use only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a pea) and instruct your child to spit out the toothpaste and rinse well after brushing.

Until your child has the ability to handle a toothbrush you should brush your child's teeth twice a day. After that you should continue to keep a watchful eye to make sure the child is doing a thorough job and using only a small amount of toothpaste.

You should serve as a good role model by practicing good oral health care habits yourself. And schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings.

Check your child's mouth for the signs of periodontal disease. Symptoms may include bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums or gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath.

If dentists or the dentist office causes your child anxiety or panic attacks you may consider using a sedation technique in order to ease your child through the process. Ask the doctor which method would be best to help relieve your child's stress level. There are different types of dental sedation to choose from. Today there are four such methods used by sedation dentists. They are oral sedatives, nitrous oxide sedation, intravenous (IV) sedation and general anesthesia. All of these methods provide varying degrees of sedation.

Discover more at www.SleepDentists.com.