How to combat the kids cavity crisis

Young children are facing a cavity crisis, according to dentists. But a Bucks County dentist says it doesn't have to be.

Dr. Sheryl Radin loves taking care of kids' teeth. Her office, Growing Smiles, looks colorful and fun. But there's nothing fun about the cavities she's seeing these days, especially among preschoolers.

Radin says, "We're seeing them very, very young now."

Heather Cassalia's daughter, Autumn, is one of them. At her first dental visit at age three she had six cavities.

Heather tells us, "She never had soda, she rarely had juice, no candy. So I was surprised."

Dr. Radin thinks there are several factors behind the cavity boom in preschoolers, such as gummy vitamins. Kids love them, but they stick to the teeth and leave a residue.

Sugary cereals and certain foods are also a culprit.

"Carbohydrates, such as bread, crackers, chips ... potato, pretzels - they all break down in the mouth to cause sugars," Radin explained.

But sugar alone isn't always the problem.

Another factor is the way we eat - grazing throughout the day.

Dr. Radin says, "The sugars are attacking the teeth all throughout the day."

If you can't change your kids snack habits, add in cheese to neutralize mouth bacteria.

And try to drink fluoridated tap water, rather than bottled water. Bedtime bottles were likely a factor in Autumn's cavities.

But Dr. Radin says a bigger issue may have been a late start on dental checkups. Autumn's doctor says she didn't need one until age 3, but Dr. Radin says it should be around 1.

"Cavities can start from the time the first tooth erupts," Radin said.

And when those first teeth appear, that's the time to start getting kids used to brushing, using a baby toothbrush and water.

You'll have to do it, they may not like, but it could spare them problems in the future.