Tooth decay - the number one threat to kids’ health

Milwaukee Community Journal � WISCONSIN'S LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER � The number one threat to kids’ health: cavities have been on the rise in all income groups, as I’ve reported previously. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that tooth decay affects over one-fourth of two to five year-old children, and half of kids age 12 to 15.

How bad is the problem?

“Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S.,” Dental Trade Alliance Foundation CEO Gary Price said in a press release. He further added that kids miss more than 50 million hours of school (and parents lose 25 million hours of work) each week.