Welcome To Today’s Presentation Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

Prevalence of Dental Decay Dental decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood. 6% of 1 year olds 22% of 2 year olds 35% of 3 year olds 48% of 4 year olds @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

How Teeth Develop Decay BACTERIA TOOTH DECAY FOOD @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

How Does Decay Develop? PLAQUE – a sticky patch of bacteria,* saliva, food and tissue cells on the tooth *Streptococcus mutans bacteria found in the mouth primarily involved in decay process FOOD – sugars are processed by S. mutans Acids are produced and start eating away at the TOOTH @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

How Does Decay Develop? DECAY TOOTH PLAQUE FOOD @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

Plaque + Food + Tooth = Decay @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

Dental Decay is an Infectious Transmittable Disease TOOTH PLAQUE FOOD DECAY Bacteria transmitted from mother Mothers with high levels of bacteria have: High levels of decay Poor oral hygiene High frequency of sugar intake @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

You’d be surprised how much sugar is in some foods! TOOTH PLAQUE FOOD DECAY Check Food Labels You’d be surprised how much sugar is in some foods! @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

Not Just What You Eat But How Often TOOTH PLAQUE FOOD DECAY Not Just What You Eat But How Often Frequency of sugar ingestion is more important than quantity Acids produced by bacteria after sugar intake persist for 20-40 minutes @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

Diet and Dental Caries Regular Meals (M) plus Sweet Snacks (S) Plaque Level Acids @ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

That’s All Folks!