One critical fact is missing from the article on children’s oral health (TNT-23).
Dental decay is caused by bacteria passed from mother or primary caregiver to the infant. If mother or caregiver has a lot of cavities and a lot of cavity-causing bacteria, that bacteria can be passed innocently by the simple act of tasting the infant’s food or licking the infant’s pacifier. Once the infant is infected with the bacteria, all of the other criteria for dental decay come into play, such as frequency of sugar and lack of fluoride for protection.
As a dental hygienist who works with preschool children and provides preventive services and cavity-risk assessments, I have come to realize that it is also important to know if mother or primary caregiver (grandmother, dad or child-care provider) has untreated dental decay. Pregnant women and new families need to be sure they are decay-free and that anyone who cares for their child is decay-free.
Scientific evidence also supports the fact that it is the fluoride that touches the teeth that provides the most prevention, as in water, toothpaste, fluoride varnish applications and fluoride mouth rinses. Fluoride supplements are a secondary source of fluoride but not as beneficial as the fluoride that touches the teeth.
Tooth-brushing does not prevent dental decay. Tooth-brushing gets fluoride on the teeth, and it is fluoride that prevents decay.
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