When people think of preschoolers, they don’t usually associate them with tooth decay. It has been long believed that tooth decay is a problem faced by adults, because teeth tend to deteriorate with age. However, current research shows that you don’t have to be older to develop tooth decay. Recent studies have found evidence that tooth decay among preschoolers is on the rise. According to the Huffington Post, children as young as two years old are now flocking to their dentists’ chairs to receive treatment for tooth decay. According to the report, dentists now see young patients who have as many as 10 cavities at once.
This is a disturbing trend, especially when children’s teeth are still developing. Because of the prevalence of tooth decay in preschoolers, many children must be put under anesthesia. This is because they lack the capacity to endure the pain and the time it takes to complete long and painful dental procedures. This is a huge problem, because baby teeth are damaged. Baby teeth cannot be replaced, and it often takes a long time for a child’s adult teeth to grow in. This can lead to expensive dental implants, if they are required. According to the Huffington Post, many tooth decay cases are so extreme that they require crowns and root canals. Other procedures may be required.
By the age of five, many preschool children require extensive dental procedures to correct tooth decay problems and maintain the health of their teeth. This is in part due to the fact that many of America’s children consume too much sugar. Many children are unable to see a dentist until the age of three, so severe damage may be caused before a child’s first visit. That’s why it’s so important to feed young children healthy food and to avoid large amounts of sugar.
However, there a number of things parents can do to keep their preschool-aged children from developing tooth decay. The key to prevention often starts with the parent. As a parent, it is important to brush your teeth every day, and let your child see you brush. As a result, he or she may try to model your behavior by brushing his or her own teeth.
Start early. A child’s tooth development begins at birth, so it is important to check your child’s teeth between the ages of zero and 12 months. To do this, take a warm wash cloth, and apply it to your baby’s gums. After you have found your baby’s gums, brush his or her teeth with a soft baby tooth brush. Most one year olds are uncooperative at this age, so it may help to have your partner hold your child as you brush his or her teeth. If possible, try to brush your infant’s teeth twice a day, suggest reports regarding child tooth care.
Of course, the way you care for your child’s teeth will change with age. A child that is two years old may consume a lot of sugar, which can lead to tooth decay.
Best regards, Dr. Melnick
