By Dr. Joseph D. Lim
American children have suffered from tooth decay, cavities, stained teeth, gum concerns, or tooth pain.
And that’s just over the previous two years, as reported by more than one in three parents who participated in a national survey.
The dental issues were linked to the children’s oral hygiene habits, according to a study conducted at the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
“Maintaining oral health from a young age, including regular brushing and flossing, helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other issues that make it difficult for children to eat and speak clearly,” says Sarah Clark, M.P.H., the co-director of the National Poll on Children’s Health.
And yet, she says, over a third of parents in the poll reported their child does not regularly brush twice a day — the most basic level of oral hygiene.
The nationally representative survey involved 1,801 responses from parents with at least one child aged four to 17 polled in August 2024.
Sixty-four percent of the parents say their child brushes their teeth twice a day; roughly 60 percent say brushing lasts for at least two minutes.
Fewer parents say their child consistently follows other oral health recommendations. For example, only a third of parents report their child regularly brushes the tongue, and less than a quarter floss regularly.
These oral health habits help remove hard-to-reach food that remain between the teeth. The tongue and the spaces between teeth are areas where bacteria that cause tooth decay, gum disease or bad breath lurk.
Bare two in 10 parents, or only 15 percent, report that their child rinse their mouth with water after consuming sweet foods or drinking sugary beverages. These habits, made in between brushing, help prevent the sugar from sticking to the teeth.
Only one in five parents report that their children follow many of the recommended oral health habits — on most or even in all days. Boys are likely to skip these habits more than girls. Overall, the children who skip the good habits experience more oral health issues, the study found.
“Regular oral health prevents plaque buildup and keeps gums healthy by preventing inflammation, bleeding and infection,” Clark said.
“Teaching kids the importance of a comprehensive oral hygiene routine sets the foundation for lifelong oral health.”
Bad breath is common among children who skip on good oral health habits in all or most days, said more than one in three parents surveyed. Most parents, in fact, believed the bad breath was a form of “morning breath” when the children did not brush or floss. Less than a quarter of the parents traced the bad breath to smelly food, breathing through the mouth or to dental problems.
The American Dental Association recommends a dental visit every six months to discover early signs of decay, monitor the growth of teeth, and educate children and families on oral hygiene.
And yet, most parents in the survey said their child’s most recent dentist visit was within the past year. Less than one in 10 or seven percent said the most recent visit to the dentist of their child was one to two years previous; four percent said it’s been more than two years.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De La Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./WDJ