Dentists Claim Tooth Decay In Children Is Rising

Article by A Aaronson

In what can only be seen as a startling failure to educate both parents and young people on the importance of good hygiene habits, new studies are showing that tooth decay is on the rise for the younger set. Dentists and researchers say that the study?s results are directly caused by young children consuming too much sugar.

In what can only be seen as a startling failure to educate both parents and young people on the importance of good hygiene habits, new studies are showing that tooth decay is on the rise for the younger set. Not just children, but those who still have their baby teeth.

It was not that long ago that few children were susceptible to tooth decay before their permanent teeth came in, at least not in developed countries. This has changed as of late. Dentists and researchers say that the study?s results are directly caused by young children consuming too much sugar.

Along with condemning sugar, the studies have shown that both adults and children are becoming less and less familiar with their local dentists. Appointments are down considerably as people of all ages choose to skip out on their dental health. Many worry that this trend is indicative of rising health care costs, along with the sense that as long as they are brushing and flossing at home, then regular trips to the dental office aren?t as necessary.

But there are flaws in this reasoning, say dentists. For one, people typically aren?t as good at regular brushing and flossing as they may think they are. For instance, quick studies have shown that people miss up to fifty percent of the food and plaque on their teeth after a round of brushing.

This is due to improper technique and not taking enough time at the sink. Flossing has never been particularly popular and is often done incorrectly as well. Even performed perfectly, brushing and flossing alone are not enough and cannot hold a candle to what they can do combined with a twice yearly professional cleaning.

Dentists more or less agree, however, that sugary foods and drinks are responsible for the rise in children?s tooth decay. More foods than ever before come with sugars both hidden and obvious and parents are less likely to ensure their children are eating a healthy diet. This not only leads to tooth decay, it plays an enormous role in contributing to childhood diabetes and obesity.

So what can parents do to prevent this from happening to their children? Set a good example when it comes to brushing and flossing. Monitor your children?s eating habits and set rules governing the types of foods, drinks, and snacks they can eat. Make sure they get in to see the dentist at least once every six months and ask him to teach your children everything he can about developing lifelong dental habits that will prevent cavities and gum disease.

About the Author

Choose among Minneapolis dentists one that has experience and a solid reputation of providing quality care. For more information, visit http://www.angieslist.com

Bottle-Feeding Babies Can Cause Severe Tooth Decay

Article by Harvey Russell

The leading hospital for children in Australia has announced that bottle feeding babies can cause severe tooth decay in infants not over 12 months. An official word from Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney released during the first week of February says that longer than usual feeding with bottles of infant formula and breast milk are linked to the issue. Prolonged feeding through bottles is often done for babies especially during the night, when babies suck on bottles for extended periods. The main cause of tooth decay is attributed

to lactose present in both breast milk and formula. If combined with existing plaque in a baby’s mouth, tooth decay comes in because of erosion of the enamel of primary teeth. According to Associate Professor Richard Widmer, the hospital’s head of dental services, Children’s Hospital at Westmead has been removing teeth from babies as young as 12 months due to bottle-feeding at bedtime. This revelation came up after pediatric dentists had noticed a pattern of decay on the back of the upper front teeth, which means that the cause was drink from the bottle that had been held between the teeth and child’s tongue for a long time. It has been widely accepted to not allow babies to suckle on juice, cordial, or anything sweet, the warning on milk came as a surprising health news for mothers. Professor Widmer commented that in a group of 100 five-year olds, one-third would get some form of tooth decay and as many as nine per cent severe decay. He also said that of the 600 children treated in emergency in 2010, about 15 per cent suffered from severe tooth decay. The loss of primary teeth should be avoided in babies because they help kids chew food properly, guide permanent teeth into the right place, and develop proper speech. It is also encouraged for mothers not to make it a habit of not allowing babies to suckling bottles at tonight. The hospital also urges mothers not to readily give sweets to their babies as there is a strong link between the consumption of sweet drinks and weight issues later in life. Regular dental checkup is also encouraged. An ideal time to start dental check up should be one year and up. Regular brushing of teeth with fluoride, at least twice a day, is also a good way to avoid tooth decay in infants to preserve their primary teeth.

About the Author

Harvey has been writing for several years now on a wide range of topics. He writes about sport as well as contributes Australia news articles.

Dentists – Answers About Tooth Decay

Article by Ace Abbey

According to dentists, tooth decay is one of the most common diseases suffered by adults and children alike. So what is a cavity and how is it treated?

What is tooth decay?

It isn?t as simple as sugary sweets breaking down the tooth?s enamel. Decay happens when bacteria starts to break apart the surface of the tooth, eventually wearing a way a hole that can vary in depth depending on the damage. This hole is often referred to by dentists as a cavity. They can form on any tooth and at any location and vary greatly in size. If left untreated, they will continue to worsen until the entire tooth and even surrounding teeth become affected.

What causes it?

The simple answer dentists give you for cavities is too much sugar and not enough brushing and oral care, and while that is true to an extent, formation of tooth decay is more complex. There are some rare diseases and genetic conditions that make people more susceptible to tooth decay due to naturally weaker enamel. Acids found in many sugared foods including soft drinks, sweets, and even some forms of tobacco can contribute to decay. Use of drugs, prescription or recreational, can also greatly increase your risk for developing cavities. Poor oral hygiene habits will help spread the disease more quickly, but some people need to put more effort into brushing than others. Dentists have found that people with deeper grooves located along the top surfaces of the teeth have a much more difficult time removing plaque and sugars, leading to more decay.

If you do have deeply grooved teeth, you should invest in a good electric toothbrush and take your time brushing carefully to ensure you are reaching deep enough into the cracks to remove debris.

How long does it take a cavity to form?

You don?t have to rip that chocolate bar out of your child?s hand. Cavities take a while to form even if you aren?t the most diligent brusher and regularly chow down on sweets. In extreme cases, a cavity could technically form within a few months from initial decay, but again this would be quite rare and require complete disregard for any hygiene or sensible diet. More likely, dentists find that cavities take a year or more to fully develop. The bacteria must break down the enamel first which can take some time. Decay that forms within the root of the tooth can happen more rapidly as the material is much weaker than enamel.

How can cavities be treated?

As with most medical treatments, dentists recommend prevention and early detection for the best possible outcome. Very small cavities can be reversed if not too much of the enamel has been destroyed, but these must be caught quickly and cared for diligently. More than likely, when dentists spot cavities or a patient comes in for treatment of pain, it is already too late. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed with a drill and then filled in with one of several substances available that acts as new enamel for the tooth. If the damage is too extensive, the tooth may need to be completely extracted and replaced with an implant, crown, or other form of cosmetic dentistry.

About the Author

San Francisco dentists specializing in making your teeth feel healthy and brand new. To know which one is right for you, read ratings and reviews here: http://www.angieslist.com/.