A surprising number of children have teeth pulled due to decay. The following article addresses the statistics of decay in children, as well as causes and prevention methods. Read on to learn more, and thank you for visiting us at Saddle Rock Pediatric Dentistry of Aurora, CO.

Dental health of young children is suffering because of sugar

Good oral hygiene is important to general health and well being. However, recent data suggests that tooth decay is rife among young children, some of whom require multiple extractions due to decay.

Child dental problems affect both infants and young children, often presenting as severe forms of tooth decay. While normally found on the upper front teeth, other teeth can also be affected.

The latest National Oral Health Survey shows that 42 percent of all children aged 5–10 have experienced tooth decay in their primary teeth (baby teeth), while a quarter of children in this age group have untreated tooth decay. Furthermore, 75 percent of children aged between 2 and 4 years have never been to the dentist for a checkup.

Why is tooth decay a big deal?

Oral health has an enormous impact upon our health and well being. For children, the consequences can be serious. Tooth decay can cause pain, anxiety, difficulties when eating, and in its advanced stages, may result in chronic infection.

Tooth decay is a frequent cause of absence from school and can impact children’s overall learning and performance. It’s also associated with adverse growth patterns and under-nutrition. The removal of baby teeth can also cause crowding problems when adult teeth come through.

While everyone is at risk of decay, children and adolescents are most vulnerable, with the negative health effects of tooth decay increasing during their development.

Why so much decay?

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