Children can grow so fast that some milestones can overtake your keen eye. We are engrossed in parenthood and adoring the little angels that we may forget to notice some dental problems they may have.
Children have dental issues because their gums are sensitive and growing. Milk teeth are a good sign that the more permanent set will start showing. It is imperative to them to childrens dentist concord every six months to help arrest any cavity, broken tooth, or a misaligned one. This read will give you a detailed insight into common dental problems in kids.
- Tooth decay
Tooth decay is commonly referred to as cavities. A child’s teeth may be susceptible to tooth decay if they have a diet high on sugars. The accumulation of sugar residue in the mouth creates a conducive medium for bacteria build-up. Consequently, the acid created by the bacteria, plaque, eats away the enamel and eventually eats up the tooth.
Most young children may not be proficient in cleaning their teeth well. It is prudent to get rid of all food debris by helping them clean and floss. Alternatively, supervise them as they brush their teeth. Depending on their age, you can teach the basic dental care to embrace it as their responsibility.
However, if you’ve already spotted a cavity, visit a pediatric dentist who may recommend tooth filling. Tooth filling involves drilling away the cavity and filling it with composite tissue. Routinely visit the dentist often to help detect cavities early enough.
- Tooth sensitivity
Has your child complained of sharp pain when they drink or eat something cold or hot? A Sensitive tooth can be uncomfortably painful. Your child may refuse to eat or drink because of the searing pain.
A sensitive tooth may be caused by; cavities, acid erosion, newly erupting permanent set, irritating tooth grinding, and a cracked or missing filling.
The immediate intervention can be changing your regular toothpaste with brands made especially for sensitive teeth. Ensure the toothpaste has the standard mark of quality from the dental association in your state.
The best intervention is to visit a dentist who can confirm the extent of the sensitivity. The pediatric dentist can ascertain the cause of the problem and use the most appropriate intervention.
- Dental emergencies
Children are very playful. They can hardly tell a dangerous stunt from an innocent jump and throw. Consequently, dental emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. A child can fall and hurt their teeth while running around the house, falling from a solid or bike, playing a sport, and more.
Dental emergencies can break, chip, or crack a tooth or two. If the accident is severe, a child can have their tooth or more knocked out. If the latter happens, collect the tooth, put it in a cup of milk as you head to the dentist. Do not wrap the tooth with a tissue or fabric. The milk keeps the tooth “alive” while wrapping it up “kills” it. Getting to the dentist in time can help the doctor to reattach it to its place.
- Gum disease
Children, too, can suffer from gingivitis and gum disease. Gingivitis is a precursor condition for gum disease. How can a parent detect gingivitis? Gingivitis is characterized by reddish, swollen gum. The child may also bleed when brushing their teeth.
Notably, gum disease is common in children with poor oral hygiene. It is critical to supervise or clean your children’s teeth to remove plaque. If untreated immediately, you may note gum recession, pain in the mouth, and swelling.
- Orthodontic problems
It is advisable to take your child to a pediatric dentist when they turn seven and eight. This is because the permanent teeth sprout at this age. The teeth may be misaligned due to spacing problems because all teeth compete for the available space in the gum.
The dentist can also detect overcrowding, a crooked smile, and other orthodontic issues. Some of these problems are hard to note at their earliest stage because the tooth is rarely painful. This informs why you should see a doctor often as the permanent tooth grows.
- Prolonged thumb sucking
Toddlers result in pacifiers and thumb sucking to soothe themselves. However, if the child does not outgrow, they may have issues when it’s time for the milk teeth to grow. Parents should do their best to prevent the habit from going beyond the toddler stage.
Are pacifiers recommended for young children? This is a tricky question for most parents. Pediatric dentists claim that over-dependence on the pacifier can cause an open bite. This is where the upper front teeth don’t close with the lower teeth when closing the mouth. An open bite can cause self-esteem issues because the child experiences difficulties biting, chewing, or speaking.
- Grinding
This is one of the most irritating behaviors in adults and children alike. A child can involuntarily clench or grind their teeth because of the discomfort during teeth development. You may observe grinding for a short period, but the habit should stop immediately after the teeth sprout.
If grinding prolongs, the child risks breaking or cracking their teeth. See a dentist for further advice if the challenge continues. It is time to see a dentist to arrest the possibility of tooth decay.
- Bad breath
Bad breath is not only irritating in adults but in children too. Bad breath is medically known as halitosis and can be an indicator of deeper dental issues. Typically, halitosis is caused by the excessive multiplication of bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria thrive on food leftovers and plaque to produce the characteristic odor of hydrogen sulfide.
Bacteria are most active at night. This leads to bad morning breath. However, if the odor persists throughout the day after brushing and flossing, seek a dental assistant.
It is critical to note that bad breath may indicate other health issues such as diabetes, digestive problems, and chronic sinusitis.
Train and supervise your children to brush and floss their teeth every day. Visit the children’s dental concord and soon you notice a dental problem.
