According to a recent dental report, nearly 28 percent of toddlers ages 2 to 5 have experienced some form of tooth decay. In fact, tooth decay has become the most common illness in children in the United States.
What is toddler tooth decay and what are some ways in which parents can help prevent it?
When you toddler’s first tooth begins to develop around six months old, he or she should develop healthy brushing and oral care habits.
Here are several causes of tooth decay in toddlers:
The biggest cause of tooth decay, or childhood cavities, is known as “baby bottle tooth decay.” This occurs when children fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk or juice.
There are several ways to prevent toddler tooth decay, even before their first dental visit.
Here are some basic habits to incorporate into your toddler’s daily oral health routine:
Tooth decay in toddlers should be treated as it would for adults. If your child’s primary teeth decay, it could infect the gums and prevent his or her permanent teeth from growing. In severe cases of decay, tooth extraction is necessary.
Consult your family doctor or an emergency clinic if pain persists.
At Kool Smiles, our professional, family-friendly staff works hard to ensure your child receives quality dental care. Proudly serving across over 120 locations across the U.S., it is our passion to make dental care available to every child in need.
We accept most forms of insurance including Medicaid, TRICARE, and SCHIP as well as other payment plans based on your budget. Expect quality, convenience, and care at every Kool Smiles location.
Don’t let tooth decay get the best of your toddler. Call us or find a location near you to schedule an appointment today.
———-
Sources:
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/DentalCaries/DentalCariesChildren2to11.htm?_ga=1.163460220.1770090913.1479320752
HealthyChildren: healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/How-to-Prevent-Tooth-Decay-in-Your-Baby.aspx
Colgate: colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/infant-oral-care/article/treatment-for-baby-bottle-tooth-decay-0414
Dental insurance plans can vary widely in terms of coverage and cost, and you likely will have plenty of questions during your decision-making process. What is the average cost of…
Read Full ArticleBringing your children to Kool Smiles for their dental care needs is one decision as a parent you don't have to second guess. Kool Smiles is a dental care provider…
Read Full ArticleMany parents wonder when their children should see the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to see a dentist when their first tooth appears. The sooner you…
Read Full ArticleIn an effort to combat the oral health care crisis, children’s dentists have been expanding into underserved areas. Over ¼ of children ages 2-5 and ½ of those ages 12-15…
Read Full ArticleWhen do you start brushing kids' teeth? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends starting to brush their teeth as soon as their first tooth appears. While this is a common…
Read Full ArticleAre you wondering how much braces cost each month without insurance? While it can be difficult to determine the actual monthly cost without consulting your child's orthodontist, the total cost for braces treatment can range between $3,000…
Read Full ArticleFree dental care is very hard to find, but it is possible through some state-funded programs like Medicaid and charity events like Kool Smiles' Sharing Smiles Day. In this article,…
Read Full ArticleWhen deciding on dental treatment for your kids, it's important to know how much it will cost. While the following resources will help you get an idea of the price…
Read Full ArticleAt Kool Smiles, we understand what being a kid is all about, and that's why we make visiting the dentist fun. At the same time, we don't want you to have…
Read Full ArticleAre you looking for a high quality dental office that focuses on caring for kids? At Kool Smiles, our friendly general and pediatric dentists have years of experience working with kids…
Read Full ArticleIf you're looking for ways to straighten your child's teeth, there are several options. There aren't any natural ways of getting straight teeth, so an orthodontics (braces) specialist can help you explore…
Read Full ArticleHave you started to notice that your child has a receding gum line, where the gum begins to pull back and expose more of the teeth? Your child's gums say…
Read Full Article