monica-quinn-ny
If you have children, you probably understand how important their dental health is. From the time a kid has their first teeth, it’s crucial to teach them healthy dental hygiene habits in order to prevent the most common dental issues. Unfortunately, children can face many problems albeit some of them might seem to occur only in adults. So, let’s look at seven common oral health issues that your kid might develop:
Orthodontic issues are extremely common in children. However, these problems can be solved by various orthodontic treatment options. Misalignment problems are usually hereditary and involve several types: underbite, overbite, open bite, and spacing problems.
Orthodontic treatment is recommended for kids who have reached the age of seven or eight. Keep in mind that misalignment issues are not just a cosmetic concern. Significant bite issues can provoke cracked teeth, tooth decay, jaw issues, gum disease, speech problems, and early enamel wear.
Tooth decay stems from improper tooth brushing, which is common in children. Plus, many kids consume lots of sweets and sugary foods that can lead to multiple cavities. Tooth decay is damage to a tooth caused by bacterial overgrowth. Cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugar and release acids that eat away at enamel and other layers of the affected tooth.
Many people believe that gingivitis and periodontitis occur only in adults. However, these issues can affect children as well. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease which is characterized by inflamed, swollen, and red gums that can bleed during brushing or flossing.
Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease which is caused by poor dental hygiene. The most common symptoms of periodontitis include gum soreness, inflammation, bleeding gums, pus pockets, and gum recession. Fortunately, gingivitis and periodontitis are preventable. The best thing your kid can do for this is to thoroughly brush their teeth and use floss daily.
Keep in mind that periodontal disease is chronic and tends to progress. If left untreated, it can provoke a gum recession and eventually tooth loss. So, it’s important to manage it properly. Your kid might also need gingivectomy procedure that works by eliminating bacteria from the gum line.
Tooth sensitivity is always uncomfortable. It can even cause dietary changes in your child. Tooth sensitivity in kids can occur for various reasons, that’s why it’s essential to visit a pediatric dentist for diagnosing the root cause. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by:
In fact, many adults are afraid of dental visits, therefore it’s no surprise that children have dental phobia as well. Dental anxiety can make it difficult to bring your kid in for regular dental checkups and professional cleanings.
However, you can help your kid handle dental anxiety by making the experience fun and relaxed. Find a kids dentist who is experienced in working with anxious children. Explain to your kid how important dental care is and try making dental visits a part of their routine.
Dental emergencies can occur suddenly. Any accident like falling while riding a bike or getting hit by a ball can end up breaking, cracking, or chipping teeth. In more severe cases, a tooth can fall out. If your kid’s got a severe injury to the tooth, call an emergency dentist as soon as possible. If your kid does sports, you can buy a custom mouthguard that will help avoid sports-related dental injuries.
