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

2. 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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 minutes
@ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

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

11. That’s All Folks!