Children's Dental Health Month:
Time to Brush Up on the Facts
February 1- 28
Baltimore, MD (February 9, 2006) - Did you know that dental decay is the most common chronic disease found in children? Problems related to dental decay are compounded for school-aged children because poor oral health can lead to low self-esteem, problems speaking and eating, and difficulty concentrating in school.
Nationwide each year, more than 51 million school hours are lost due to dental related problems. In 2002, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, 41 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 11 had tooth decay in their primary teeth. The problem was even worse for those who had their permanent teeth-50 to 68 percent of teens between 12 and 19 had tooth decay.
"The most basic way to prevent cavities in children is to encourage the child to brush all of their teeth every night before going to bed" said Dr. Patricia Bell -McDuffie, Director of Oral Health Services at the Baltimore City Health Department.
Other recommendations include increasing the daily intake of fluoride-containing tap water and cutting down on sugary foods from your child's diet. The average two-year old gets more sugar from soda than from all sweet snacks combined, while a teenaged boy will consume over 700 cans of soda each year. This type of diet can lead to tooth decay, especially in children's and teens who snack and drink throughout the day. They also have a greater chance of obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis. In addition, sugar provides fuel for bacteria that produce the acid that destroys the enamel of the teeth, leading to cavities. And, soft drinks contain high amounts of acid, which lead to tooth decay.
Please remember-children learn good oral habits and nutrition from their caretakers so it is important that you are a good role model. Teach your children how to brush and floss their teeth properly, and make sure they receive regular dental visits. Be sure they, like you, eat nutritious foods and get regular exercise. This will help to ensure that you and your children will have healthy bodies and smiles, and decrease the chances of developing obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
For Baltimore City residents, oral health care services are provided at the Eastern Dental at 620 N. Caroline Street and The Druid Dental Clinic at 1515 W, North Avenue. If you have any questions about your child's oral health, you can contact the Baltimore City Health Department/ Oral Health Services Program at 410-396-4501.
