One Simple Way to Prevent Childhood Cavities

Worried what that leftover Easter candy will do to your tot's teeth? Well, the damage may have been done long before they were born. A recent study suggests that a woman's vitamin D levels during pregnancy could be linked to her child's future cavity development. The study, performed in Canada, analyzed the vitamin D levels of more than 200 woman during their second and third trimesters. Researchers then examined the teeth of the children at 16 months old. They discovered that, depending on the definition of a cavity, 23 to 36 percent of the toddlers had cavities. When the researchers looked into the mother's vitamin D levels, they found that those with lower levels were more likely to be the mothers of children with cavities.

While more research needs to be done on the matter, the doctors behind the study believe their findings open up a discussion about the importance of nutrition and tooth formation.

"Prevention efforts should begin during pregnancy by bolstering maternal nutrition, either through improved dietary intake or supplementation with vitamin D," Dr. Robert J. Schroth, the study's lead researcher, says.

To get the specifics on the study, read the full story on Huffington Post.