A: cavities

KIDS WHOSE PARENTS HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE LESS LIKELY TO GET CAVITIES: Sweet treats may cause cavities, but sweet parents may prevent them. New data reveals that among kids going to the dentist for the first time, those whose parents displayed less supportive behavior were more likely to have cavities than those with more supportive parents. Researchers looked at 132 parent/child groups who headed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio for the child’s first dental visit. It was discovered 80 percent of children with “authoritative” parents, who provided guidance and discipline while allowing some freedom, had cavities. On the other hand, 97 percent of children with “permissive” parents, or those who do not control their child’s decisions and tend to ignore misbehavior, had cavities. Additionally, 93 percent of children with authoritative parents displayed positive behavior, compared to 42 percent of children with permissive parents. (Fox)