According to the CDC, approximately one out of every five children in the United States has untreated cavities. The actual percentages are 19.5% of children between the ages of 2 and 5 and 22.9% in children between the ages of 6 and 19. These are startling figures in childrens dentistry because while cavities are simple to correct, they can also lead to more serious dental problems.
Childrens dentistry has developed quite a lot over the years, and there is no reason your little ones can?t maintain healthy beautiful smiles. For children, going to a dentist can be scary, but a pediatric dentist can make your child feel comfortable while still doing what they need to do to ensure the child is getting proper dental care.
Tooth decay is arguably the most common health concern among young children. It is five times more common than asthma and four times more common than early childhood obesity. While some may argue that tooth decay is not as serious as asthma or obesity even though it is more prevalent, recent studies in childrens dentistry outline the seriousness of the issue. According to the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools, students lose over 51 million school hours every year because of illnesses related to dental problems.
There are a number of statistics that suggest an overall lack of understanding that can negatively impact a child?s understanding of oral health. For example, only 22% of people state that they floss daily despite the demonstrated health benefits of doing so. 75% of people do not replace their toothbrushes as often as recommended, and people wait an average of three years between appointments. Finally, 78% of people have at least one cavity by the time they are 17 years old.
Another area that parents can proactively work to help their children maintain a beautiful smile is in children?s sports. 39% of all dental injuries happen while a child is playing sports. While you don?t want to restrict your child because sports is a healthy and fun part of growing up, it is important that they are protecting their teeth. Just like you wouldn?t let your child ride a bike without a helmet, you shouldn?t let them play sports without a mouth guard. Helmets also work to protect your child?s teeth and should be worn during most sports.
Even while taking all the necessary precautions, dental injuries can still happen. In most cases, the damage is to the front teeth. When there is a dental injury, it is important to take your child to the dentist as quickly as possible and bring the missing or broken tooth, if you can.
There are many options in childrens dentistry throughout the Chattanooga area, so if you are looking for a Chattanooga pediatric dentist, you are likely to find a really great one that will work with you to ensure your child is learning good dental practices. It is essential to teach children from a young age the importance of good oral health, and part of that is parents being a primary example.
