Tooth decay is on the rise for kids
By MIKE STOBBE
AP Medical Writer
ATLANTA (AP) -- Tooth decay in young children's baby teeth is on the rise, a worrying trend that signals the preschool crowd is eating too much sugar, according to the largest government study of the nation's dental health in more than 25 years.
The study also noted a drop in the proportion of non-elderly adults who have visited a dentist in the past year - a possible indicator of declining dental insurance.
But there was some good news: Older children have fewer cavities and adults have less periodontal disease than in the past, and more of the elderly are retaining their teeth.
"Overall, we can say that most Americans are noticing an improvement in their oral health," said the study's lead author, Dr. Bruce Dye of the National Center for Health Statistics.
Read the rest on the AP News site
AP Medical Writer
ATLANTA (AP) -- Tooth decay in young children's baby teeth is on the rise, a worrying trend that signals the preschool crowd is eating too much sugar, according to the largest government study of the nation's dental health in more than 25 years.
The study also noted a drop in the proportion of non-elderly adults who have visited a dentist in the past year - a possible indicator of declining dental insurance.
But there was some good news: Older children have fewer cavities and adults have less periodontal disease than in the past, and more of the elderly are retaining their teeth.
"Overall, we can say that most Americans are noticing an improvement in their oral health," said the study's lead author, Dr. Bruce Dye of the National Center for Health Statistics.
Read the rest on the AP News site
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