More than one in three parents say their child has faced issues like tooth decay, cavities, stained teeth, gum concerns or tooth pain over the past two years, according to a poll.

The University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health found that children who skipped dental hygiene recommendations or followed them less often more commonly experienced dental issues.

Sarah Clark, co-director of the Mott poll, said, “Maintaining oral health from a young age, including regular brushing and flossing, helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other issues that make it difficult for children to eat and speak clearly.

“Over a third of parents in our poll reported their child does not regularly brush twice a day - the most basic level of oral hygiene.”

The report is based on 1,801 responses from parents with at least one child aged four to 17 polled in August 2024.

An oral hygiene routine

Sixty-four per cent of parents said their child brushed their teeth twice a day, and approximately 60 per cent said brushing lasts for at least two minutes.

However, only a third of parents reported their child regularly brushes the tongue, and less than a quarter floss regularly.

In between brushing, rinsing the mouth with water after consuming sugary foods or beverages can help to prevent the sugar from adhering to the teeth. However, only 15 per cent of parents said their child regularly does this.

Overall, one in five parents said their child does at least four of the top six recommended oral health tasks on all or most days — with less consistency reported among boys than girls. Children who followed fewer practices and did them less frequently had more oral health challenges.

Sarah added, “Regular oral health prevents plaque build-up and keeps gums healthy by preventing inflammation, bleeding, and infection. Teaching kids the importance of a comprehensive oral hygiene routine sets the foundation for lifelong oral health.”

Over a third of parents polled also noticed that their child has bad breath, which was more common among children who only followed one or less oral hygiene practices all or most days.

Most parents attributed their child’s bad breath to ‘morning breath’ or lack of brushing or flossing, while less than a quarter cited smelly food, mouth breathing or dental problems.

Sarah said, “Neglecting oral health habits is not only harmful to overall health but can increase the risk of discoloured teeth and bad breath, which can be embarrassing for children and cause low self-esteem.”

Dental visits

Seven per cent of parents said their child’s most recent dentist visit was one to two years ago, and four per cent said it’s been more than two years.

Parents who reported their child follows 0 to one oral hygiene recommendations all or most days are also more likely to say their child has not had a dental visit in over a year.

Sarah concluded, “Each child’s oral health needs are unique. Dentists can provide tailored recommendations; for example, some children will benefit from sealants or fluoride varnish to protect the teeth from sources of decay.

“Early detection allows for timely intervention, often reducing the need for more invasive treatments later.”

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