Dental care is important no matter how old you are, but it’s doubly important in kids. Teaching kids how to care for their teeth is a gift that lasts their whole life. But, even if you’re doing your best to care for your child’s teeth, some common dental problems can impact kids of all ages. Here, we discuss the eight most common dental problems in children and how to prevent them.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is quite common for young children. Whether your child eats sugary, acidic foods or has less-than-stellar brushing habits, children of all ages are prone to tooth decay. Thankfully, regular professional dental cleaning at a pediatrician, good brushing habits, and limiting sugary drinks like soda and juice can reduce your child’s cavities.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a common problem for many people, including children. If your child complains of tooth pain or discomfort from hot or cold foods, they may have cavities or need dental treatment. In addition, tooth sensitivity can signal dental problems, including enamel issues and cavities. Thankfully, your dental team can assess the situation and help reduce overall dental sensitivity at its source.
Dental Emergencies
Children are always on the go, so dental emergencies are fairly common. From chipped or cracked teeth to knocking out adult teeth, dental emergencies among young children is a reason to rush to the dentist’s office. Anyone can fall prey to tooth infection or other dental emergencies, so know your local emergency dentist’s number. Be sure to schedule a visit in case of an emergency.
Gingivitis and Gum Disease
Gingivitis and gum disease can come from several sources, the most common being poor dental hygiene. If your child has swollen, sensitive gums, bleeding, tenderness, or a receding gumline, they may have gingivitis.
With gum disease, the sooner your dentist treats the problem, the better off your child will be. However, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and worse problems, so encourage your child to care for their teeth and make a pediatric dentist appointment if you have any concerns.
Orthodontic Problems
Misaligned teeth, bite issues, overlapping teeth, dental gaps, and more are all common dental problems in children. These issues need the attention of an orthodontist and may require braces or other orthodontia. The sooner your child sees an orthodontist, the sooner your dental team can fix these issues. While most people are not the biggest fan of getting braces, early treatment is the best course of action for orthodontic concerns.
Thumb Sucking
While thumb sucking may seem cute in small children, it can lead to dental issues such as deformed front teeth. The same problem applies to children who use pacifiers for a long time. If you’re worried about your child’s thumb sucking, talk to your dental team about ways to encourage them to stop.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is a common childhood problem and can come about due to stress, bite alignment issues, and more. If you’re worried about your child grinding their teeth, talk to your pediatric dentist, as they can recommend solutions and even craft a custom mouth guard to protect your child’s teeth from wear and tear.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is a common childhood problem caused by poor dental hygiene and infection. While bad breath every once in a while is a normal occurrence, if your child has chronic bad breath, contact your dental office today.
If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Houston, TX, contact Bright Value Dental today to request an appointment at (713) 668-1600 to make an appointment.
Source(s):
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids