Realistic Approach in Fighting Tooth Decay in Children

Roughly 42 percent of children ages 2 to 11 have had decay in their primary teeth, while approximately 32 percent of children ages 9 to 11 have decay in their permanent teeth. Tooth decay among children is a growing problem and it needs to be curbed fast. Tooth decay is as a result of eating habits found in children and unfortunately, encouraged by parents due to lack of education. Even the government is not helping in setting guidelines to control the sugar and beverage companies.

                                                  

Experts agree that controlling the consumption of sugary meals in children is a tough one and this has led to rise in tooth decay cases among children. "Sugary foods and sticky candies can be difficult for children to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay, particularly when they get stuck in the crevices between teeth," says Scott Cayouette, DMD, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. "Additionally, many children consume large amounts of soft drinks and sports drinks, which are known to have a high acidic pH and sugar content—a recipe for disaster in terms of tooth decay." These dietary factors—combined with the possibility that children are drinking more unfluoridated tap or bottled water—might explain why the rates of tooth decay are rising.

Consumption of sugary candies causes tooth decay

The following steps can help battle tooth decay in children;

Although it's vital for all patients to brush and floss every day, since almost all children are addicted to sweetened foods, their oral health can be improved by adding xylitol to their daily oral hygiene routine. According to the monthly newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) . Xylitol is a natural sugar that doesn't cause cavities and can actually help to prevent them."

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in trees, fruits, and vegetables. It's also found naturally in the human liver, which is why it is safe for humans to consume. Unlike table sugar, which breaks down in the mouth and creates an acidic, cavity-promoting pH, xylitol does not break down and therefore does not create any harmful acids. Xylitol can befound in an array of products —including candies, mints, lemonade mixes, all-purpose sweeteners, and certain brands of chewing gum—which can help patients fight cavities without forcing them to drastically change their daily oral hygiene regimen.

Research suggests that patients should consume between six and ten grams, or three to five servings, of xylitol per day. "It's also important for patients to consume xylitol throughout the day and not all at once," Dr. Cayouette says. "The more often that xylitol interacts with the bacteria in your mouth, the better—that way, it's always fighting cavities."

Healthy eating habits like including vegetables and fruits in the daily diets of children should be encouraged. Instead of including sweet drinks and candies in children’s’ lunch bag, oranges should be squeezed and placed in the drinking bottles. Carry the kids along when selecting the types of fruits to include in their lunch bags.

Take time to visit the nutritionist and dentists regularly as they provide expert ways of creating varieties in terms of food that will still look attractive to children and general mouth hygiene respectively. 

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