Cavities Make A Comeback
National News
by
Lindsay Wilcox
last edited on
Thursday, January 28, 2010
For Dawson Depperschmidt, getting a cavity filled is just another part of growing up. "It wasn't that bad," she said.
But for her mother, caring for the teeth of her four growing girls has been a painful experience.
"Dawson has always been a good brusher, it's like pulling teeth to get Presley to brush her teeth and none of them like to floss," Sarah Depperschmidt said.
The Depperschmidts are among the growing number of American families whose kids are getting more cavities. According to the CDC, pediatric cavities were at an all time low in the mid nineties - with 24% of kids ages 2 to 5 having at least one.
But the latest data available suggest that number is up about 4percent.
Dr. Melissa Rozas has a pediatric dental practice. She says most often, the cavities show up when kids start school and their diets change.
"They also are able to get some things that maybe they weren't able to get at home such as chocolate milk, strawberry milk, possibly some desserts that they can go through the school line and get," Dr. Rozas said.
But she says the bacteria that causes those cavities forms much earlier. That's why dentists and doctors suggests dental visits starting at age one, so parents can implement good dietary and dental hygiene habits from the moment the first tiny tooth appears.
"Bacteria need a tooth and they need food. So if we can brush the bacteria away and we can prohibit certain kinds of foods from getting to that tooth, we can prevent cavities," Dr. Rozas said.
Sarah Depperschmidt says despite her efforts, her kids have had upwards of three dozen cavities collectively.
"A lot of money. A whole lot of money. Don't you see this nice, pretty office," she laughed. But all kidding aside, she says their smiles are worth every penny.
The doctor says parents should only give their children milk and water, never let them sleep with a bottle or sippy-cup and limit snacking and sugary foods. She also says you should brush and floss their teeth as soon as they appear.