Grey Bruce smiles are not as white as they could be.
The Grey Bruce Oral Health Status report has been released by the Grey Bruce Health Unit.
The report is based on data collected over the span of 5 years, beginning in 2005.
It has identified some areas of concern.
Studies show a quarter of mothers in Grey Bruce are cleaning their baby’s mouths too infrequently – another quarter never clean their infants mouth.
In addition – 6 percent of mothers put their baby to bed with a bottle or sippy-cup full of non-water beverages nearly every night.
The study also found 3 in 5 children getting ready to start school had never visited a dentist – 1 in 7 had decay present or have previously suffered from decay.
In 2006 – of the 33 health units in Ontario reporting, nine year olds in Grey Bruce had the third highest rate of decayed, extracted, missing, and filled teeth.
The 2009 – 2010 school yard is not a rosy picture either – 581 kids received urgent dental treatment through the Children in Need of Treatment program.
The problem is not just with kids – there is a recognized need for dental services for seniors such as having dentures professionally fitted, cleaned and maintained.
Health Unit Senior Epidemiologist Alanna Leffley says water fluoridation is effective – but only if the water is consumed.
She says with many people opting for bottled water, the fluoride in the municipal drinking water supply is not being consumed by a large group of the population.
Chief of Dentistry for Grey Bruce Doctor Tom Rice says starting dental care early in life is key.
He says dealing with tooth decay in the early stages is essential to preventing more serious health issues in the future.
