Innumerable studies and research have shown the importance of starting children early in their lives with good dental hygiene and oral care.  According to research, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders and 80 percent of 17-year-olds. More than 40% of children have cavities by the time they reach kindergarten.  Cavities left unattended in children can affect children’s growth, result in significant pain and potentially life-threatening infection, and diminish overall quality of life.

The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms.  Because there is such a significant loss in their academic performance, the Surgeon General has made children’s oral health a priority.

Parents are responsible for ensuring their children practice good dental hygiene. Parents must introduce proper oral care early in a child’s life-as early as infancy.  An oral health risk assessment by a qualified health professional by age one allows institution of appropriate preventive strategies as the primary dentition begins to erupt.

For more information concerning Pediatric Dentistry and Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.