Do you know what the most pervasive threat to children’s health is today? Tooth decay. In this age of excellent dental care, the availability of fluoridated tooth pastes, and an abundance of education, it’s hard to believe that tooth decay is as prevalent as it is. But a new survey released by the Ad Council reports that only 44 percent of American kids brush their teeth two or more times per day.

Only 44 percent! That means the majority of kids in this country are at high risk for costly and painful dental problems. In fact, it’s reported that more than 16 million kids are suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S.

Tooth decay is not something to be ignored. Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to complications including tooth loss, severe pain, chewing problems and tooth abscesses. What’s more, bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body, including the heart.

The good news is that this problem is easily solved. Preventing children’s tooth decay takes less than five minutes a day brushing and flossing. Support your kids’ good home dental hygiene with a professional cleaning and checkup every six months, and your kids have a great chance of keeping their smiles for their lifetimes.

Don’t let your kids suffer from tooth decay. Make sure they brush and floss at least two times a day and get regular dental care. To schedule your child’s checkup and cleaning, just call my Little Falls dental practice today.