Tooth decay has long been a problem for children because they often make poorer dietary choices and have poorer hand skills and may be unable to provide optimal tooth care. If tooth decay begins at a young age it can possibly lead to more drastic problems as time goes on.
However, it is possible that the efforts of dental societies, community dentists, and health education programs have been very effective, as the statistics on tooth decay have been consistently improving. At least that’s what the New York Times recently reported. According to the publication, federal health authorities said cavities in preschoolers have declined and fewer young children have untreated dental decay.
It is the first reported drop in tooth decay for the age group since 2007. Dr. Bruce Dye, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said only 10 percent of preschoolers have untreated tooth decay. It’s the lowest percentage in 25 years, he said. While the amount of data isn’t enormous, it is still substantial when compared to trends from previous years.
Also, the CDC found that 23 percent of children ages 2 to 5 had cavities from 2011 to 2012, down from 28 percent from 1999 to 2004. And though nearly a quarter of children get some kind of infection that somehow damages their teeth, the reduction is still a positive.
As to what has made the numbers drop, there is no definitive answer. Some experts noted how nearly half of children in 2012 received dental treatment as opposed to just 29 percent in 2000. Also, more kids seem to be seeing dentists by the age of 1, which is the strong recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The earlier children are seen, the earlier the education starts for families and children. And, if there is a cavity, more children have been getting their cavities filled promptly as well before the damage becomes more difficult to fix.
Dentists around the country hope the numbers continue to drop, as it is our primary goal to prevent dental diseases like cavities and gingivitis. The statistics could be bolstered by the amount of great fluoride products available as well. While the numbers are encouraging, we certainly realize that this is not a problem that will be easily go away but our office staff and doctors will continue to fight on the front lines to help be sure the children in our community have the best chance for a healthy and simple dental life.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
