Cavities are Up Among Preschoolers Here Are 4 Things Parents Can Do to Avoid Surgery
According to the Centers for Disease
Control U.S. preschoolers have seen the first increase in
cavities in over 40 years. Dentists are finding toddlers with sometimes 5-10 cavities. This increase has taken place in poor,
middle class and wealthily families a like. No one wants to put their child under general
anesthesia but it is routinely done these days for small kids with major dental
issues. Depending on your insurance and the procedures required dental
restoration for a child can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more.
What’s the reason for the increase in cavities among small children?
- Not visiting the dentist
- Not brushing
- Bedtime snacking
and drinking juice or sugary beverages
- Lack of fluoride
What can parents do to avoid surgery?
- Take kids to the dentist by age 1. Because they
have so few teeth many parents don’t realize that kids need to start
regular dental visits by age 1. Among other things the dentist can
assess them for future cavity risk and suggest an oral hygiene program
early on.
- Make them brush. Some toddlers get upset and throw
tantrums or melt-downs over tooth-brushing. Hold firm. Remember if you
they are crying now using a soft toothbrush imagine what it will be like
to take a 3 year old in for a drilling.
- Limit Sugary Drinks & Snacks. Cut down on
snacking especially before bedtime and when they do snack be sure they
brush afterward. Limit juice to less than four ounces day and avoid soft
drinks like soda and sports drinks.
- Fluoride. Serve your child fluorinated tap
water or talk to your dentist about fluoride supplements.
If you would like
more information or schedule
an appointment for your child, please give us a call today at (954) 894-7953.
This post originally appeared here: http://firstwestondentist.com/dr-pyles-blog/weston-pediatric-dentist-avoid-surgery
