There are a lot of common dental issues that kids can face while growing up from a chipped teeth to cavities to gum disease. As such, parents should know what dental issues kids are more likely to face and how to best treat these issues.
So, what are the common dental health issues children have?
Tooth Decay
By far one of the most common dental issues that kids face, tooth decay affects approximately 1 in 5 children between the ages of five and eleven. Tooth decay is caused by the buildup of dental plaque in teeth. The bacteria in the plaque react with carbohydrates, produce acid which erodes the enamel. This eventually results in tooth decay exposing nerves often resulting in quite a lot of pain.
Fortunately, tooth decay can be treated. A pediatric dentist will replace the decayed part of the tooth with a filling. However, the best option is to prevent it in the first place. Making regular brushing and flossing a part of your child’s daily dental routine can go a long way in helping prevent tooth decay.
Sensitive Teeth
Adults are not the only ones that face issues with sensitive teeth, kids too can face problems with sensitive teeth. Like tooth decay, thinning enamel in teeth can cause nerve endings to be exposed. Hot or cold items can cause pain when exposed to the nerve endings. Pediatric dentists recommend using soft-bristled toothbrushes along with regular flossing and fluoride toothpaste.
Gum Disease
Poor oral health and dental hygiene can cause gum disease in kids. Gingivitis, also known as gum disease, can be found in three primary forms: chronic gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis, and generalized aggressive periodontitis. Like most dental issues, gum disease can be prevented by good dental habits and regular dental checkups at your favorite kids dental clinic.
Thumb-Sucking
Most children suck their thumbs as a comfort mechanism. However, thumb-sucking past three years old can cause harm to your child’s dental health. It can disrupt teeth' alignment and affect different parts of the mouth.
Grinding
Misaligned teeth or even normal pain can cause young children to reflexively grind their teeth. While it might go away as they age, the tooth can wear down by constant grinding. Visit your local pediatric dentist if this problem persists in your children. A variety of dental accessories like night guards can help prevent teeth grinding in kids.
Damaged Teeth
Children tend to get into all sorts of trouble and sometimes that means a damaged or loose tooth. Losing a tooth earlier than it should cause a variety of dental problems. A missing baby tooth can cause crowding when new permanent teeth start to appear. A pediatric dentist will do their best to ensure that the tooth can be saved. However, if that’s not possible, they will often use space maintainers till the new permanent tooth arrives.
Taking care of your child’s dental health is no easy task. Children are notoriously picky eaters and don’t usually have the best dental habits. However, good dental habits and regular checkups with your favorite pediatric dentist can ensure that their smile stays healthy and happy.
