Tooth Trouble
Author: By the editors of Child magazine
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Q: I've noticed that my son has some white spots on his teeth. Are these signs of decay?
A: "With children this age, white spots on the teeth are generally signs of decalcification, which is a forerunner to tooth decay," says Heber Simmons, Jr., D.D.S., a dentist in Jackson, MS. "These white spots often mean that bacteria have been sitting on the teeth, causing the tooth enamel to wear away."
You will need to pay more attention to your child's daily dental routine in order to prevent decay, according to Dr. Simmons. "Most 5-year-olds still need a lot of supervision when brushing their teeth," he explains. "Before bedtime, you should really clean your child's teeth for him."
Another culprit could be fluorosis, though it is less common in young children. This occurs when too much fluoride is ingested. To prevent this, have your son use a pea-size portion of toothpaste when brushing.
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