TRI-STATE (WFIE) -
Many parents don't realize that even the tiniest teeth need a lot of TLC.
Now, dentists across the country are treating preschoolers with a mouthful of cavities and it's more serious than you might think.
When three-year-old Ben started complaining of a tooth ache, one look in his mouth revealed the reason why. Dentists found cavities in 15 of Ben's 20 teeth and recommended dental surgery.
"You can see the decay on his teeth," said Ben's mother, Leah. "They're going to be pulling a lot of the teeth, and so anything left is going to be either capped or filled."
Dr. Jonathan Shenkin with the American Dental Association says there's been a dramatic rise in the number of children requiring surgery for extensive tooth decay.
Dentists are performing everything from fillings and crowns, to root canals and extractions. In some hospitals, there are even months long wait lists.
"These are children anywhere from the age of one or two, up until they're six or seven," said Dr. Shenkin.
The tooth decay seen is so severe, dentists are routinely treating 10 or more baby teeth at a time.
Dr. Joel Berg is with the University of Washington Center for Pediatric Dentistry, where they expect to carry out close to 1,500 surgeries this year alone. He says one of the main culprits is sugar in things like juice, sweetened water, soda, milk and starches.
"It has a lot to do with the frequency of sugar. How often do you have sugar during the day? Every time you eat sugar, acid is formed that starts to dissolve the enamel," said Dr. Berg.
Proper dental hygiene is another factor. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling a child's first visit by age one.
"We can actually inform parents of the behaviors they need to be doing at home with tooth brushing and nutrition, and put them on the right path to good oral health," said Dr. Shenkin.
When teeth first erupt, clean them with a damp cloth.
At one year, use a toothbrush with water, or fluoride-free training toothpaste.
Encourage healthy eating and brush your pre-schooler's teeth twice a day.
Check out the Center for Pediatric Dentistry's Snack Smart Guide for tips on healthy eating.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
Many parents don't realize that even the tiniest teeth need a lot of TLC.
