| Tooth Decay Is An Infectious Disease |
Tooth decay is an infectious disease – and it is a reality. All children are at risk. The ODA Special Report,
Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: An Ounce of Prevention – A Pound of Cure, is a call to action for parents, government and the community. We all need to work together on prevention.
Tooth Decay Facts: Did you know?
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It is the second-most common cause of school absenteeism |
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It is five times more common than asthma in children aged 5-17 |
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It can be transmitted by sharing a spoon with young children or licking their pacifier |
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It is preventable in almost all cases |
Every parent, grandparent and caregiver must read this Special Report. It can be found on the
Internet at the Ontario Dental Association information site
www.youroralhealth.ca.
For those people without access to the Internet, we will be glad to print you a copy of this special report. The time to act is now. We owe it to the children of Ontario. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.
Ten Tips for Parents
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Before your baby has teeth, wipe the gums
gently with a clean wet cloth after each
feeding. |
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If your baby sleeps with a bottle or sippy
cup at naptime or bedtime, fill it with
water only. |
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If your baby normally falls asleep while
feeding, brush his or her teeth before
feeding. |
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Lift your baby’s lip and watch for changes
in colour, lines or spots on your child’s
teeth as these may be signs of potential
problems. |
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As soon as the first tooth appears, start
brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride
toothpaste in the morning and before
bedtime. Fluoride is a mineral that protects
teeth. |
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Put a small dab of toothpaste across a small
soft brush. Wipe off excess toothpaste until
the child can spit it out. Begin flossing at
least once a day when your child’s teeth are
touching. |
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Change your child's toothbrush every one to
three months or immediately after an
illness. |
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Let your child watch you brushing your teeth
and assist with your child’s tooth brushing. |
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To prevent spreading germs that cause tooth
decay, do not put anything in your child’s
mouth if it has been in your mouth. Don’t
share spoons, cups, food, toothbrushes, etc. |
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Visit your dentist by the age of one year,
or when the first teeth appear. Take your
child to the dentist for regular checkups to
make sure there are no problems. |
About the Special Report
This Special Report from the Ontario Dental Association is a direct result of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) conference held in Toronto in 2008. The conference featured international experts and high-profile oral health-care providers who focused on best practices aimed at the prevention of tooth decay, especially in the children’s high-risk category.
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