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Tooth decay is on the rise in North America. And you may be surprised at one of the potential culprits.
Nine-year-old Zachary Picciano brushes and flosses regularly and takes good care of his teeth… but still, he’s had several cavities over the past few years.
Five, to be exact.
His mom, Lisa Picciano, isn’t thrilled at the number. “Five cavities! Which is not a great thing.”
Why so many?
Part of the reason may be the water Zachary and his family drinks.
Lisa explains, “We have bottled water in the house, and we also have a water machine with the large jugs of water. So we have lots of spring water in the house.” And Zach acknowledges that, “I mostly drink the big jug of water.”
And none of the water they drink contains fluoride.
The head of Canada’s Dental Association says that’s why cavities are on the rise in young children.
But the problem is many families, like the Piccianos, prefer bottled water. “It just tastes better,” Lisa says, “and it just seems cleaner. Because you never really know exactly what’s in your tap water, other than the fluoride.”
Claudia Tomaselli, DMD, a pediatric dentist says that while tap water, “is not as good tasting as the bottled water… it does add some benefit. And that will help build stronger teeth if you drink it when you’re a kid.”
The solution, she says, is simple. “The good part is that you can find bottled water with fluoride added to it. So if you still felt that your water wasn’t safe, you could always go and get yourself fluoridated bottled water.”
She says whatever water you choose, good dental hygiene and eating habits also are essential to prevent cavities. “ Kids are getting more sugar; they’re having less time to brush their teeth.” And that’s why, she says, “any extra fluoride that you can get… will definitely help out.&rdquo
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