-WJLA Script-

Anchor: THERE'S BEEN A SHARP INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CAVITES IN KIDS TEETH ACCORDING TO A NEW GOVERNMENT REPORT. AND HEALTH EXPERTS ARE POINTING A FINGER AT - A DECAYING DIET. MEDICAL REPORTER KATHY FOWLER IS HERE TO EXPLAIN.

Kathy Fowler on-set:

THIS LATEST STUDY BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL FOUND THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TOOTH DECAY IN DECADES IN TODDLERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. IT'S A WORRYING SIGN THAT PRESCHOOLERS ARE EATING TOO MUCH SUGAR. Story:

5-YEAR-OLD TWINS BRIELLE AND NYA ARE GETTING A REGULAR CHECK UP TODAY. NO CAVITIES. THEIR TEETH ARE BEAUTIFUL. BUT PEDIATRIC DENTIST DR. RICARDO PEREZ SAYS THERE'S A NATIONWIDE TREND THAT ISN'T SO PRETTY.

Dr. Ricardo Perez, pediatric dentist: "We are beginning to see more dental decay than we were seeing ten to fifteen years ago."

ACCORDING TO THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT REPORT OF ITS KIND, THE MOST STARTLING FINDING WAS A 28% INCREASE IN CAVITIES IN CHILDREN AGES TWO TO FIVE. EXPERTS SAY THERE ARE A FEW FACTORS: MORE CHILDREN ARE DRINKING BOTTLED WATER THAT DOESN'T CONTAIN fluoride. THEY ALSO BLAME INADEQUATE DENTAL CARE. FINALLY, MORE CHILDREN ARE EATING PROCESSED SNACK FOODS THAN IN THE PAST.

DR. PEREZ TELLS PARENTS TO LIMIT THE SUGAR, CANDY, AND SODA - EVEN DIET SODA IS ACIDIC AND CAN DAMAGE TEETH.

Dr. Perez: "In my opinion there's really no need for a child to drink anything different than water and milk and orange juice. There's just no reason for constant exposure to apple juice or sodas."

MOM ERIN CARROLL LISTENS. THAT'S WHY ALL HER CHILDREN HAVE HAD GREAT DENTIST VISITS.

Erin Carroll, mother: "No cavities yet, so hopefully it'll stay that way."

Kathy Fowler on-set:

DR. PEREZ ALSO SUGGESTS GOING TO A DENTIST AND GETTING SEALANTS ONCE YOUR CHILD GETS THEIR PERMANENT TEETH.

CHILDREN SHOULD START GOING TO THE DENTIST AT THE AGE OF ONE. PARENTS NEED TO BRUSH THEIR CHILDREN'S TEETH, EVEN IF YOUR CHILD IS EIGHT. DENTISTS SAY PARENTS NEED TO GO OVER THEIR CHILD'S BRUSHING, AND THAT INCLUDES FLOSSING.