One-Third of Parents Report Their Kids Struggle with Tooth Decay, Cavities, and More: Research Suggests
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More than one in three parents say their child has faced issues like tooth decay, cavities, stained teeth, gum concerns or tooth pain over the past two years, a national poll suggests.
And these problems were linked to children’s oral care routine, more commonly experienced among those who skipped dental hygiene recommendations or followed them less often, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.
The nationally representative report is based on 1,801 responses from parents with at least one child aged 4-17 polled in August 2024.
Sixty-four percent of parents say their child brushes their teeth twice a day and roughly 60% say brushing lasts for at least two minutes.
But fewer parents say their child consistently follows other oral health recommendations.
In between brushing, rinsing the mouth with water after consuming sugary foods or beverages can help to prevent the sugar from adhering to the teeth; however, only 15% of parents report their child regularly uses this strategy.
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