Tooth decay is an infectious disease — and it is a reality. All children are at risk. The ODA Special Report Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: An Ounce of Prevention -- A Pound of Cure is a call to action for parents, government and the community — we all need to work together on prevention.


Tooth Decay Facts: Did you know?

• it is the second most common cause of school absenteeism
• it is five times more common than asthma in children age 5-17
• it can be transmitted by sharing a spoon with young children or licking their pacifier
• it is preventable in almost all cases

Every parent, grandparent and caregiver must read this Special Report.

The time to act is now. We owe it to the children of Ontario.
An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.


Resources

• Ten Tips for Parents - Bulding healthy oral habits | Download handout (PDF) 86KB
• Read the Special Report: "Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children" (PDF) 1.7MB
• Listen to public awareness radio spots
• Listen to SoundBite from ODA President Dr. Larry Levin
• NEW! Listen to the Press Conference - Length 20:38 (WMA)
• IADR PowerPoint presentations
  
  

ODA Members log in and visit the Member Home Page for additional resources

Ten Tips for Parents

1. Before your baby has teeth, wipe the gums gently with a clean wet cloth after each feeding
2. If your baby sleeps with a bottle or sippy cup at naptime or bedtime, fill it with water only
3. If your baby normally falls asleep while feeding, brush his or her teeth before feeding
4. Lift your baby’s lip and watch for changes in colour, lines or spots on your child’s teeth as these may be signs of potential problems
5. As soon as the first tooth appears, start brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bedtime. Fluoride is a mineral that protects teeth
6. Put a small dab of toothpaste across a small soft brush. Wipe off excess toothpaste until the child can spit it out. Begin flossing at least once a day when your child’s teeth are touching
7. Change your child's toothbrush every one to three months or immediately after an illness
8. Let your child watch you brushing your teeth and assist with your child’s tooth brushing
9. To prevent spreading germs that cause tooth decay, do not put anything in your child’s mouth if it has been in your mouth
   Don’t share spoons, cups, food, toothbrushes, etc.
10. Visit your dentist by the age of one year, or when the first teeth appear. Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups to make sure there are no problems

About the Special Report
This Special Report from the Ontario Dental Association is a direct result of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) conference held in Toronto in 2008. The conference featured international experts and high-profile oral health-care stakeholders who focused on best practices aimed at the prevention of tooth decay, especially in the children’s high-risk category.


IADR Presentations

• Dr. C. Friedman, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
  "Defining the Population" (PPT) 1.7MB
• Dr. J. Featherstone, University of California, USA
  "Caries Management and Prevention" (PPT) 5MB
• Dr. N. Pitts, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK
  "The Value of Early Caries Detection in Enabling Preventive Therapies in Dentistry" (PPT) 14.3MB
• Dr. I. McConnachie, Pediatric Dentist/ ODA Past-President, Nepean, Ont.
  "Applying New Ideas and Program Design to Ontario Government Sponsored Dental Programs"
  (PPT) 1.61MB

Public Awareness Radio Spots

• Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: "Echo" (Windows Media) 1.24MB
• Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: "Megaphone" (Windows Media) 1.24 MB
  

ODA SoundBite
ODA President Dr. Larry Levin on the Special Report:
"Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children" (WAV) 1MB

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