Misinformation Fosters Tooth Decay
Many parents and caregivers are uninformed that routine practices like providing healthy snacks and sharing utensils may increase their child’s risk of developing cavities, according to a new survey.
The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), a leader in children’s oral health.
It found U.S. parents and caregivers are uninformed about cavity-causing bacteria and teeth-friendly snacks. One result showed 96% of U.S. adults with children under 12 years old in their household thought a cracker was better for children’s teeth than a piece of caramel. Starches, however, can also cause cavities like sugars, and caramels dissolve more quickly from the mouth than crackers.
