Patients of all ages should come in for cleanings twice a year, and if your children are due, there’s no better time than early in the school year. Caries, or cavities, are most common in children. If they are not treated, these little holes can become big problems.
The most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control says that as many as 20% of preteens and 13% of teenagers have untreated tooth decay. This spells big trouble for kids’ academic performance and overall health. Tooth decay progresses, meaning that what’s just a small cavity today could become infected pulp or a cracked tooth months from now. Such a problem would necessitate a root canal. In the meantime, the child will be in pain, which will interrupt their sleep, diet, and concentration, and could cause them to be irritable. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that 42% of children have caries (including treated ones) in their baby teeth and 23% of children have caries in their permanent teeth, indicating that tooth decay is quite common. Given the likelihood of some kind of decay, it is better for children to get treated near the start of the year, so problems can be discovered before they’ve had a major impact and when they’re simple to treat.
Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.
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