Las Vegas, NV — Dr. Noura Rezapour, DMD, the pediatric dentist behind Adventure Smiles in Las Vegas, is speaking out on childhood tooth decay, which continues to rank as the most common chronic disease among children in the United States despite being largely preventable. Federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that by age 8, over half of children have already had a cavity in their baby teeth, and untreated decay remains especially common among children from lower-income households, who are roughly twice as likely to be affected as children from higher-income families.

Dr. Rezapour, who was born in Iran and raised in Las Vegas before pursuing a career in pediatric dentistry, says the numbers reflect what she and her team regularly see in daily practice: cavities that could often have been caught, and in many cases prevented, with earlier and more consistent dental visits. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at UNLV, earned her dental degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Dentistry, and completed her pediatric specialty training at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine — training that included two to three years of additional education beyond dental school focused specifically on the needs of children and adolescents.

"Tooth decay in kids is preventable in the vast majority of cases, but prevention only works if it starts early," said Dr. Rezapour. "We recommend that first visit happen within six months of a child's first tooth coming in, or by their first birthday. That early relationship with a dentist makes it so much easier to catch small issues, build good habits, and keep decay from becoming a bigger problem later on."

Adventure Smiles points to a combination of factors behind the persistence of childhood cavities, including inconsistent brushing habits, diets higher in sugar, and gaps in access to routine preventive care such as dental sealants, which the CDC notes can prevent the majority of cavities in permanent molars when applied early. The practice offers dental sealants alongside its broader cavity prevention program, along with fillings, routine dental care, and emergency services for children experiencing pain or dental trauma.

The practice also emphasizes that dental anxiety can be part of the reason decay goes untreated, particularly for children who avoid or delay visits out of fear. To address this, Adventure Smiles has built its practice around a child-friendly environment, with a team trained specifically in easing dental anxiety in young patients, including children with autism and other special health care needs. For children who need more support during treatment, the practice also offers sedation dentistry and general anesthesia options.

Dr. Rezapour and the Adventure Smiles team are encouraging Las Vegas parents not to wait for visible signs of a problem before scheduling a dental visit, noting that many early cavities show no obvious symptoms and are far easier to treat when caught early through routine six-month checkups.

About Adventure Smiles Adventure Smiles is a pediatric dental practice located at 8995 W Flamingo Rd #100, Las Vegas, NV 89147, providing specialized dental care for infants, children, teens, and children with special health care needs in a warm, child-friendly environment. Led by Dr. Noura Rezapour, DMD, the practice offers preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services, along with sedation and general anesthesia options, and serves families in English and Spanish.

Visit: www.adventuresmiles.com