8 Most Common Dental Issues in Young Children
For a parent, a child’s smile is worth more than all the money in the world. It is like the sunshine of pure joy. It makes up for a bad day with its innocence and simplicity.
But as easy as it is to enjoy the smile, it is equally difficult to protect it. All parents know that dental issues are quite common in children and how essential it is to maintain good oral hygiene.
However, most dental issues can be avoided with proactive care and healthy habits. Thus, understanding possible dental issues will help maintain the beautiful smiles of your child. So, read on to know about some of the most common dental problems in children.
8 Common Dental Problems in Children
Prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to health. Having said that here are some common dental issues in young children:
1. Tooth Decay
Young children are carefree about their eating habits. Excess sugar intake and improper oral hygiene lead to tooth decay, commonly known as cavities. It begins with the sticking of food on the teeth' surfaces, which corrodes the enamel and builds a cavity in the tooth.
The developed cavity is often mended by tooth filling. A hard composite material is used to fill the hole and heal the cavity. It is important for the parents to supervise the child in brushing and maintaining eating habits.
2. Thumb Sucking
A common habit among children is thumb-sucking. Though it might look normal, it can cause long-term damage to the child’s teeth. Excessive thumb sucking or use of pacifiers for a long period of time leads to misalignment of teeth called an open bite. It is a condition that creates a gap when the mouth is closed, and the upper front teeth don't fit with the lower front teeth.
This condition can make speech delivery difficult for the child and make the chewing process difficult. Good guidance and a gentle approach to breaking the habit can protect the children from this condition.
3. Bad Breath
Regardless of age, bad breath or halitosis can affect anyone. It is caused by the bacteria that live inside the mouth. It multiplies on leftover food and fluid and develops hydrogen sulphide, which causes a bad smell.
Bacteria mostly multiply during the night while the child is sleeping, causing morning breath. But bad breath throughout the day can be concerning. Brushing properly, along with antibacterial mouthwash, can help your child prevent bad breath.
4. Tooth Grinding
The primary stage of tooth growth can cause irritation in children, especially during sleep. An involuntary reaction to the discomfort is teeth grinding or bruxism, which is a common sleep disorder.
Some children continue this habit even after their teeth are grown. This can lead to tooth decay or erosion of teeth. Consulting a doctor to take the required measures for this issue is important to safeguard your child’s dental health.
5. Tooth Sensitivity
If your child feels pain and discomfort while eating anything cold or hot, it can be a sign of tooth sensitivity. However, checkups are important to find out the cause. Some possible reasons can be tooth decay, enamel wear, teeth grinding, etc.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene with the right intake of food can be crucial steps in preventing tooth sensitivity. Consulting a dentist at the beginning of identifying any symptoms can help to avoid worsening the situation.
6. Gum Disease
Gum disease is a problem seen mostly in adults, but it can also affect children. Swollen gums with red marks and frequent bleeding while brushing or flossing can be a sign of gingivitis. It is a precondition of gum disease. It also occurs in crowded teeth where brushing can be difficult, resulting in hurting the gums.
Teaching your child the right way to take care of their teeth at an early age is crucial to preventing these diseases. To detect or cure these diseases before conditions worsen, consult a dentist.
7. Early Childhood Caries
Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy diet are the primary reasons for early childhood caries or ECC. The initial symptoms of ECC are white spots or white lines, which further turn yellow and translate to cavities. The teeth that are not in contact with the saliva are likely to be affected first.
In case your child is having any of the symptoms, consult a dentist immediately. Visit the best dental clinic Harrow, to give your child a safe and comfortable dental consultation experience.
8. Early tooth loss
Tooth loss is considered a sign of growing up as the baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth. It is a natural process that commonly begins at the age of six.
However, the early loss of a tooth can create a gap and improper growth of the new tooth. This causes misalignment of teeth and affects their ability to chew and speak, leading to dental issues in the future.
Improper oral health, accidents, or injuries can be the culprits of early tooth loss. In case of early tooth loss, consult an emergency dentist Harrow as soon as possible.
Protect The Smiles Of Your Little Ones
A healthy lifestyle includes practising good oral hygiene. And, of course, children are not conscious of maintaining good dental habits at an early age, as they don’t know its importance. So, as parents, you should provide them with dental hygiene education and make them understand the need for regular checkups.
Moreover, children might be anxious at their first dental checkup. So, choose a dental clinic like Complete Smiles that provides a positive, comfortable space for children and operates 24/7 so you would not have to worry about an emergency.