Kids don't have to get cavities, and prevention begins with parents

By Eve Rutherford

Board member, Washington Dental Service Foundation

As a dentist and mother of young children, I get lots of questions from parents about how to take care of baby teeth. This tells me that parents are increasingly aware that oral health is an important part of their child's overall health.

In the past baby teeth were often ignored because they fall out and are replaced by more permanent teeth. But, baby teeth need to be protected. They are important to a young child who is just learning to eat and speak, and they help guide adult teeth into place. Plus, tooth decay can be pain...