Health: Combating The Children's Dental Crisis

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There's a dental crisis, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Twenty-five to 30 percent of children between the ages of two and five already have cavities.

3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has more on ways to reverse that trend.

5-year-old Christopher Pedraza is comfortable at the dentist, because he's been getting check-ups since he was a tot.

"What we'd like to be able to do is try to have parents bring their child before they are 12 months of age," said Dr. Mark Helpin, with Temple's School of Dentistry.

In addition to check-ups, dentists say it's important to teach little ones proper brushing and flossing before they get their adult teeth, even if a parent helps out.

"Most children do need some help, because they lack the manual dexterity to brush very well," said Dr. Helpin.

Other ways to keep away decay include limiting sugary foods, potato chips and pretzels because they can stick to teeth.

"The carbohydrates and the starches still get broken down by the bacteria to the same simple sugars and create the same acid environment," said Dr. Helpin.

And dentists say children should use only a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste; too much can cause fluorosis, which causes white specs on the teeth.

"What we recommend for children zero to two years of age is just the tinniest smear of toothpaste and brush with that twice a day," said Dr. Helpin.

Dentists also say soda and sugary juice are primary causes of children getting cavities, so they should be avoided.

To find a pediatric dentist, click here.

Reported by Stephanie Stahl, CBS3