For the first time in 40 years, the number of cavities in preschool-age children is on the rise, according to a study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Tooth decay in the baby teeth of 2- to 5-year-olds increased from 24 percent to 28 percent of their teeth between the periods of 1988-1994 and 1999-2004. Older children, meanwhile, experienced less tooth decay. Children from low-income households were three times more likely than those from wealthier families to have untreated tooth decay, according to the report.
“Trends in Oral Health Status: United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004" is posted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
