Tooth decay can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. It is more severe in kids than in adults because their gum is sensitive and growing. It is imperative to lean your children’s teeth yourself or train them if they are old enough. If you release a problem, you should consult childrens dentist Elk Grove for top-notch dental intervention.
Every parent should learn common oral health problems to help in protecting their children’s teeth. This read will help you know some of the dental issues and how to prevent them.
- Tooth decay
Tooth decay is caused by particular bacteria that live in the mouth. If the teeth remain dirty for several days, bacteria buildup develops into plaque and coats the teeth. If provided with a suitable medium, plaque produces an acid that erodes the tooth enamel, thus resulting from decay.
Diet is an essential part of dental care. Carbohydrates contain a lot of sugar. Consequently, sugary foods encourage the multiplication of plaque on the teeth’ surface. As earlier mentioned, acid acts on the sticky film on the tooth’s surface to cause gradual decay.
Therefore, avoid refined foods such as juices, cookies, cakes, and candies. Additionally, reduce cooked starch in pasta, potatoes, and rice because they encourage plaque deposits.
And because it may be difficult to avoid these food items, it is critical to train your children to brush their teeth after every meal. Cleaning teeth is the most essential at night because the mouth bacteria become most active when the body is at rest.
- Halitosis
Halitosis is bad breath that is common in the morning immediately one wakes up. If your child sleeps without flossing or brushing, the bacteria that lives and thrives in the mouth forms plaque. The bacteria colonies act on the food remains, and fluid in the mouth erodes the enamel.
As the bacteria eat the food particles, they produce hydrogen sulfide, characterized by bad breath; however, if bad breath persists beyond the morning hour or even after brushing teeth. It would help to visit the children’s dentists in Elk Grove for a dental checkup.
It is imperative to know that bad breath can precursor other diseases, like digestive complications, diabetes, or chronic sinusitis. If the child is under medication, it can also cause bad breath as the drug compound break down in the body system.
You can use an antibacterial mouth wash to reduce bacteria activity in the mouth. If the problem persists visit a pediatric dental professional to fix it.
- Teeth sensitivity
A sensitive tooth is susceptible to extreme changes in temperature. A sensitive tooth is characterized by a sharp, searing pain that persists for some minutes after taking something hot or cold.
A tooth is sensitive because the nerves are exposed because of an underlying condition such as decay. A child’s enamel is very fragile because the child is growing up. It can also be an easy target of plaque and acid erosion. Therefore, kids are more susceptible to teeth sensitivity than adults.
The more the tooth enamels wear out, the faster the gum recedes, crack, or chips to expose the nerve endings. And when the child breaths in cold or hot air or take drinks at extreme temperatures, the nerves are triggered causing sharp pain.
You can manage toot sensitivity by using a specially-formulated toothpaste that seals the exposed nerves. However, it is vital to see a dentist for further treatment because tooth sensitivity could be a symptom of an underlying tooth problem.
Expect the dentist to apply a sealant to strengthen the enamel and fill any crevices. Parents should also ensure the child’s toothbrush is soft to the enamel. Tough bristles can scrape off the enamel and damage the tooth’s surface.
- Thumb sucking
Young children suck their thumb to soothe them when they feel anxious or irritable. It is a common habit in childhood. However, a parent should get alarmed if the habit continues after the toddler stage. Typically, you should get concerned if thumb sucking continues after the permanent teeth grow.
Thumb sucking can lead to misalignment of the teeth and open bite. An open bite happens when the upper teeth refuse to lock with the lower set of the milk teeth completely. An open bite can lead to grinding and also speech disorders in children. Therefore, see an experienced dentist to help fix the problem. The dentist can recommend additional support or help you break the thumb-sucking habit.
- Gum disease
Gum disease is not a reserve for adults; children too can suffer from gum disease, commonly known as gingivitis. Gum disease is also referred to as gingivitis and can lead to teeth loss and bone damage. It is caused by poor oral health that encourages plaque buildup.
If your child bleeds when brushing, you should check for other gum disease symptoms. The child’s gum may look red and swollen. In severe stages of gum disease, the gum may recede, leading to constant bleeding when flossing or brushing.
There are three forms of gum disease:
- chronic gingivitis
- aggressive gingivitis
- general periodontitis
Depending on the severity of the infection, the dentist may recommend deep cleaning and antibiotics to prevent further infection. At this point, the child is usually in pain so, parents should take the child to a dentist for the first symptom of gingivitis.
- Teeth grinding
Teeth grinding is medically referred to as bruxism. Here, the child grinds the upper teeth with the lower set. It may also be characterized by clenching the teeth. Children may grind their teeth when they suffer an earache or toothache. A child can experience grinding if stressed or suffering hyperactivity.
Teeth grinding may be a short-lived problem. However, if it persists, the tooth’s enamel may gradually wear out causing sensitivity, or dental and muscular pain.
The dentist may recommend night guards placed on the mouth to prevent the child from teeth grinding in their sleep.
Always visit a dentist when any of these oral health issues persist. An experienced professional can use different interventions to help the child from pain and discomfort.
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