Dr. Jason Melashenko and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Mashni, own Surprise Dental and Denture in Surprise, Arizona. Here, Dr. Melashenko explains the leading causes of tooth decay in children and how to prevent decay.
There is an ongoing debate about the proper way to prevent and treat tooth decay in children. There are many opinions on the issue, so many that I can’t possibly mention them all. All I can do is offer my own opinion, which I believe is the most logical and realistic way to properly treat tooth decay in children.
The leading reason children get tooth decay is from processed food with refined sugars. I cannot emphasize this enough. Today’s children are absolutely saturated with processed foods. During almost every meal, they are ingesting unhealthy sugars not only into their bodies (hence the huge increase in childhood obesity in recent years), but also into their teeth.
But the real issue is the frequency of sugar ingestion, not the quantity. Let me illustrate this with an example. Let’s say one child eats a whole bag of Sour Patch Kids candy and drinks an apple juice every day. If the child brushes his teeth properly right after eating and drinking, he will probably not get cavities. Let’s say another child eats breakfast in the morning, drinks a mid-morning milk or juice, maybe eats some crackers before lunch, then eats lunch, followed by a little dessert. Then he drinks a juice or soda in the afternoon, comes home and eats a snack, and eats dinner. This child has had sugars breaking down on his teeth all day long. This causes the mouth to be very acidic, which is the perfect environment for tooth decay development. So brushing often is important. Also, an easy alternative to snacking on sugary foods is snacking on healthier whole fruits and veggies and sugar-free juice.
Another reason that kids (and adults) get tooth decay is the popularity of bottled water. Although this water is “more pure,” as often advertised, it contains no fluoride, which is key to strengthening your tooth enamel and combating cavities. Most tap water, on the other hand, has a little fluoride added to it. This is a good thing! When you drink bottled water, you not only don’t get the fluoride your teeth need, you rinse off fluoride that might already be present on your teeth.
Your dentist can be important in helping your children fight tooth decay. Most offices that treat children have some sort of education program with gross pictures of poor oral health to help the kids understand how important good brushing at home can be. It’s also important to emphasize flossing. When kids realize just what a difference it makes, they are more inclined to do it more often. Check-ups are vital. Children should be seen a minimum of twice a year, so someone can assess how well the brushing is going at home and help accordingly. Lastly, getting preventative sealants on all back teeth is a no-brainer. Most sealants now contain fluoride and really keep the biting surfaces of the teeth from developing cavities.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at Surprise Dental and Denture.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
