Say ouch!

Science World, April 26, 2004 by Libby Tucker

Five billion people worldwide suffer from tooth decay, says a new study by the World Health Organization. That means more than 80 percent of the world population needs to work on their smile.

Tooth decay happens when bacteria living In your mouth produce an acid that dissolves your tooth enamel (outer, protective covering of a tooth). Left untreated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.

Want to flash a healthy smile? "Brush and floss to reduce bacteria," advises Dr. Matt Messina, dentist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association.

Compare the two bar graphs (right). Which world region suffers from the most tooth decay? Explain.

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Lesson Plans

Here's the recent press release on tooth decay by the World Health Organization: www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2004/pr15/en/

Did you know that teeth help give your face its shape? Find out more cool facts about teeth at the American Dental Hygienists' Association Web site: www.adha.org/kidstuff/