When it comes to your child’s smile, prevention starts with you. Kids may be the ones trying to convince you to skip brush time, but you hold the key to setting them up for lifelong dental health success. Let us dive into five eye-opening facts every parent should know and why taking charge today can save more than just teeth tomorrow.
Fact #1: Dental sealants can prevent cavities for many years (14) but they are currently underutilized for all U.S. children. [1]
Sealants are like raincoats for teeth. They create a protective barrier that shields the grooves on molars from cavity-causing bacteria. The best part? They can prevent cavities for years. But only a fraction of kids in the U.S. actually have them.
Think about it: Would you send your kid into a storm without a raincoat or an umbrella? Ask our dentist about sealants – they are quick, painless and could save your kiddo (and your wallet) from bigger issues down the road.
Fact #2: By age nine, half of children (50%) have had cavities in their baby or permanent teeth.
By the time your child blows out their ninth birthday candles, there is a 50/50 chance they have had at least one cavity. Baby teeth might not stick around forever, but decay does not disappear when those teeth fall out.
Cavities in baby teeth can lead to problems in permanent teeth. It is a domino effect that you do not want to start. The good news? Brushing, flossing and regular dental visits can tilt the odds in your child’s favor. [2]
Fact #3: Oral disease can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking and learning. It can also affect social interactions, academic achievement and job potential. [3]
Oral disease is not just a “bad teeth” problem. It can cause pain and infections that ripple into every part of your child’s life. Trouble eating, speech challenges and even difficulty concentrating in school could all be caused by oral disease.
Oral health can influence academic performance, social interactions, and even future job potential. A healthy smile is not just about looking good in school photos – it is a foundation for lifelong success.
Fact #4: On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned (emergency) dental care, and over $45 billion in US productivity is lost each year due to untreated dental disease. [4]
Imagine every student missing a whole week of school due to emergency dental care. That is what 34 million school hours look like.
But the impact does not stop there. Untreated dental issues cost U.S. businesses over $45 billion annually in lost productivity. By focusing on prevention, you are not just saving your child’s teeth, you are also giving them more time to learn, grow and play.
Fact #5: Drinking fluoridated water and getting dental sealants (in childhood) prevent cavities and save money by avoiding expensive dental care. [5]
Fluoridated water and dental sealants are the superheroes of cavity prevention. They do not just stop decay in their tracks, they also save money. Every cavity prevented is money you do not have to spend on fillings, extractions or root canals down the line.
Think of prevention as putting money in your “future smile” savings account. A little effort now can mean big savings later. It’s a win for your wallet and your kid’s health.
What can you do?
Start small. Make brushing and flossing a daily must. Encourage your child to drink tap water (yep, it is better than bottled!). And do not wait. Schedule regular dental checkups and ask about prevention options like sealants.
Being a parent is not about perfection, it is about persistence. Healthy habits might be met with a few groans now, but they will pay off when your child has a smile they are proud of for years to come. Let us keep those pearly whites shining!