Fewer cavities found in young people - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Fewer cavities found in young people

Fewer dental cavities are found in kids and young adults. Even so, some minority groups are still most at risk. (Source: CNN) Fewer dental cavities are found in kids and young adults. Even so, some minority groups are still most at risk. (Source: CNN)

(CNN) - A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed young people, ages 2 through 19, have fewer dental cavities.

That number dropped from 50 percent in 2012 to just over 43 percent in 2016.

The downside of this study found that young members of some minority communities, Hispanic and African American, continue to have the highest number of cavities as well as the highest number of untreated cavities.

A professor at the University of Southern California's Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry said socioeconomic status, education level and access to health care are just a few reasons why the minority numbers are higher.

Here are a few tips for good dental health:

  • The CDC said have your child visit a dentist for a first checkup by the time they turn 1.
  • Speak to the dentist about the child using fluoride.
  • Make sure the child is brushing with the right tools and using good technique.

Copyright 2018 CNN. All rights reserved.

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