The most common condition among children is largely PREVENTABLE!
According to the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), dental caries/cavities are four times more common than childhood asthma and three times more likely than childhood obesity. AAPD recently released their State of Little Teeth Report in 2021, which examines the epidemic of tooth decay among children. Check out the following key stats from the Report: ✔[-497]Tooth decay is the NUMBER ONE chronic infectious disease affecting children in the United States and is on the rise, but it is largely preventable. ✔[-497]The rate of tooth decay in baby teeth of children aged 2 to 5 years increased nearly 17% from 1988-1994 to 1999-2004. ✔[-497]By age 5 about 60% of children will be affected by tooth decay. ✔[-497]Children with oral health problems are THREE TIMES more likely to miss school due to dental pain than children with no oral health problems. ✔[-497]AAPD recommends taking a child for their first dental visit by the age of 1.
Delaying dental care to age 2 or 3 can have a negative impact on a child’s oral health. 40% of parents and caregivers surveyed are delaying their child’s first visit until after age 2. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Let's give our littlest smiles their best chance at a heathy future!
