Sue Madden RDH BSDental Associates

CHILDHOOD DECAY EPIDEMIC:

PREVENTABLE

Facts

20 primary teeth already present in the jaw at birth.

Child is born with an almost sterile mouth.

By age two the microbiology of the mouth is a mirror image of the main caregiver, usually mom.

Decay is a contagious disease.

Kissing is the number one transfer of bacteria

Primary Teeth

Baby Bottle Decay

Formula for Decay

Decay in Children

48% Michigan 3 year olds have had decay

65% 5 year olds have had decay

Oral disease leading cause of days out of school

More than 16 million children in the U S suffering from untreated tooth decay (CDC)

Disproportionately low income children have twice number decayed teeth not treated

Prevention

Healthy eating and drinking habits

Education on importance of teeth

Regular dental visits

Good home care

Regular use of fluoride and xylitol

Infant Toothbrushes

•Brush with a soft brush morning and night

•Brush in a circular motion with brush on both teeth and gums for at least 2 minutes

•Use fluoride toothpaste

•Floss or picks can be used between teeth

•Brush the soft tissues of the mouth including tongue and cheeks•Rinse with a fluoride mouthrinse if decay history •Use xylitol products

Tips for Daily Care of Teeth

Xylitol

Not a sugar but a sugar alcohol

Five carbon atoms instead of six like normal sugar, bacteria in your mouth are unable to make use of.

Many of the foods we already eat have xylitol in them, examples strawberries, raspberries, mushrooms and most veggies.

Can actually heal slight decay as well as prevent decay

Studies show children chewing xylitol gum, 4mg twice a day, had 40% drops in decay.

Reversing preventive Gains

Adolescent Decay

Drinks are liquid candy

Readily available

Supersized and free refills

Decrease in drinking fluoridated tap water.

Decrease milk consumption

Sugar laden coffee beverages

Drinks Destroy Teeth

An Educational Outreach Program

of the Indiana Dental Association

The culprits

Soft drinks Sports and energy drinks

Quantity: 2010

Consumption now includes large quantities of sports and energy drinks.

Teenage boys drink, on average, three or more cans of soda per day.

10 percent of boys drink seven or more cans each day.

The average for teenage girls is two cans per day,

10 percent of girls drink more than five cans every day.

Why do we need to educate?

Decay and erosion Erosion and tooth loss

Decalcification

Classic Erosion Patterns

Quantity

Acidity

Sugar

Timing

How Drinks Destroy Teeth

Prevention Saves Teeth From Decay and Erosion

4th and 5th graders. Are targeted with two science lessons.

Educate through science labs to measure acid, sugar and pH levels of various drinks

Students

Sugar

Sugar multiplies the acidic effects of drinks. Some sodas and energy drinks have up to 13 teaspoons of sugar!

Athletes

Dentistry fights back …

Knowledge is power!

DrinksDestroyTeeth.com