Most parents are embarrassed to admit that their toddler's teeth are not at the top of their parental worry list. You figure they're just temporary, not the permanent ones that really matter. After all the whiny days and sleepless nights those pesky incisors caused when they were teething, it's a relief to put them out of your mind for a few years. The shrieks of 2-year-old outrage endured every time you brush their teeth did nothing to improve your outlook. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28% of children ages 5 and under have visible cavities; that number skyrockets when you include the cavities that are in the early stage of formation. In fact, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among toddlers, affecting 21% of 3-year-olds. WHY TODDLERS ARE AT RISK The typical 2- or 3-year-old's eating habits create the perfect environment for cavity-causing bacteria to flourish. The two major culprits: taking a bottle of juice or milk (which contains sugar in the form of lactose) to bed and snacking on sugary treats and carbohydrates, which break down into simple sugars the minute your toddler puts them in his mouth. Also, there's a parents' tendency to procrastinate about taking their kids to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first check-up by age 1, though many parents hold off until their children are 4 or 5 — often with their pediatrician's okay. Diet and hygiene are only part of the problem. Many parents unknowingly infect their kids with streptococcus mutans, the group of germs that commonly causes tooth decay. It typically happens before age 2 and is often transmitted by moms, either by kissing or indirect contact, like sharing a spoon. So even if your toddler eats healthfully and you brush his or her teeth regularly, they may still be prone to cavities if they've contracted the bacteria. SPOTTING THE SIGNS OF DECAY Check your toddler's mouth for these not-so-subtle symptoms. Crud and goo. This cavity-casing form of plaque looks like white sludge and collects along the gum line of your child's teeth. It comes off in slimy strands when you try to wipe it away. If brushing doesn't get rid of the goo, see a dentist. Spots and streaks. Healthy toddler teeth are shiny and opalescent, but when they're exposed to bacteria and plaque, faint white spots and lines may appear where minerals were leached from the tooth. Eventually, tiny pits form and may become painful brown holes if left untreated. Stinky breath. Chronically smelly breath may mean your child isn't producing enough saliva, which protects teeth from decay by swishing away sugar and acid. Kids with dry mouths are much more likely to develop cavities. Dry mouth may be caused by dehydration, certain medication (such as albuterol for asthma), or conditions like sleep apnea. Consider other culprits such as food build-up on your child's teeth or tongue, postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux, mouth breathing and even something stuck up his nose. If the stink persists, see their pediatrician.