Tooth decay is the #1 chronic disease of childhood

Cavities are caused by a disease called caries that is nearly always preventable. This infographic shows the role that sugar (and carbohydrates) play as the "fuel" driving the disease process.

This disease process weakens teeth. Think about it: a cavity is a hole in the tooth's enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body. That’s a powerful infection. That infection can travel to other parts of the body. A cold or flu typically goes away with time, but tooth decay does not.

Children's risk for cavities varies. A child's risk for tooth decay can vary significantly, and that's why we need to move toward a strategy of risk-based care. Many factors shape a child's risk, including the health and behavior of moms and other caregivers. In fact, in a survey, only 18% of adults know that the bacteria that cause tooth decay can be transmitted from parent to child.   

It's a disturbing and costly cycle. Young children with advanced tooth decay may need dental surgery under general anesthesia, which may affect developing brains. At one children's hospital, an estimated $40 million a year is spent on treating early childhood cavities. Because the underlying disease is not addressed by the surgery, most children who receive dental surgery develop new cavities within two years.

If left untreated, tooth decay can even threaten lives. Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old Maryland boy, tragically died in 2007 from an oral infection that spread to his brain. Driver's tragic death prompted Maryland to change its health policies to improve children's access to care. Strengthening state policies can help ensure that more children get the care they need to prevent dental disease or manage it so it doesn't progress to a cavity. Learn more about strategies to end cavities.