Dentists reported at a dental convention in Washington that they're seeing more cavities in children. Ronald Billings, professor of dentistry at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York said his study showed the cavity rate among 10 year olds in Rochester is on the rise slightly. Cavities in kids lead to tooth decay in adults, dentists said. The most recent survey showed an average of three cavities per 10 year old child, up from two cavities per child in the late 1980s. Some age related health problems and medicines cause a dry mouth by creating a lack of saliva, which helps to neutralize the acids that eat through tooth enamel.
Insufficient saliva increases the risk of cavities.
Dentists attribute the previous decline to water fluoridation and regular preventive dental care. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.