Helping Kids Have Healthy Smiles

Pop Tops the Sugar Axis of Evil

Vincent Sheoships
(Photo courtesy of Wil Phinney)

Who's to blame for our kids' addiction to sugary pops? TV and newspaper ads, as well as pop and candy machines in schools, are not helping the war against this Achilles. Parents, of course, are ultimately responsible, but education about the effects of tooth decay needs to be emphasized to the extended family as well. Aunties, grandmas and other relatives must believe change is needed too. Parents who have children with cavities shouldn't feel singled out. One-fifth of all one and two-year-old children drink pop, the Minnesota Dental Association says.

On the Reservation, people sometimes refer to Pepsi as "baby's milk." That's not a joke. Baby-Bottle Tooth Decay, a fairly insidious term, occurs when infants or children are allowed to "sip all day" from a bottle or sippy cup. Even milk, if it sloshes around in a kid's mouth for extended periods, can cause tooth decay. So you can imagine what happens when the bottle or sippy cup is filled with Coca-Cola or Mountain Dew.

Parents have admitted sending their children to bed with pop-filled bottles at night not knowing it was harmful to their children's teeth. If a baby has to have a bottle to get to sleep, it's best to fill it with water. But parents confronted with a child's tooth decay respond appropriately and should be commended.

"I have seen great improvements in most families once the parents have been informed of the problem," says Dr. Joey Helton, the other dentist at Yellowhawk. "We try to get the message out as best we can but again, it's hard to compete against the constant barrage from corporate American advertising."

Informed parents schedule the appointments and make sure the child shows up. They adhere to stricter dental hygiene and not only encourage flossing and brushing but actually take the brush in hand and clean their kid's teeth. Those parents are doing the right thing, even if it's after the fact.

But what about parents who aren't aware of the enamel rotting away in their child's mouth? Remember, last year 160 youngsters who were eligible for a free dental exam at Yellowhawk went without getting the work they needed.

"We encourage parents to open their kid's mouth and take a look. If there are brown or black spots it's probably cavities," says Dr. Timmons. "Don't just tell them to go brush and expect it to be done properly. Become involved, take time, and oversee their brushing and flossing. Make it a family event."

Children need help brushing their teeth until they are at least six, says Shepherd.