Kids can develop oral health problems from an early age. This only means that grownups have to pay attention to their child’s oral health from an early age. Parents should instill proper dental health habits as kids age and start developing teeth. But before that, let us all learn more about the most common teeth problems kids can experience.
Sensitive teeth
Let’s start with the obvious – even kids can have sensitive teeth. Teeth sensitivity is common, and it should not be ignored. Sensitivity is often described as a painful experience caused by certain kinds of food. The discomfort can be caused both by hot and cold food. If this is the case, it’s often a sign that you should take your child to the dentist. This can be a sign of worn enamel, cavity, or any other dental issue that a dentist best treats. It’s important to take your child to the dentist early to ensure any health issues are either prevented or taken care of as early as possible.
Cavities
From the moment your child gets their first baby teeth, cavities can happen. There are several elements that combine to create an ideal ground for bacteria development. Bacteria buildup, poor hygiene, too much sugar building up, and getting caught in teeth crevices can lead to cavities. But, just as easily cavities develop, they can be easily removed and further decay prevented.
Gum issues
If your kid has red, irritated or swollen gums, it can be a sign of gum issues. Especially if the saliva is reddish after regular daily brushing, it’s a clear sign of bleeding gums. While your child can cause gums to bleed by brushing too hard, it can also be a sign of gum disease. It’s necessary to check the reason behind bleeding gums and also teach your child proper teeth-brushing techniques. The dentist can only determine the cause of bleeding gums, so don’t hesitate to take your child to an experienced professional.
Teeth related accidents
Children involved in any kind of contact sport can go through teeth-related accidents. Injuries can happen, so it’s important to either invest in a mouthguard or act fast in case of an injury. Some common teeth-related accidents are a chipped tooth, cracked tooth, and even tooth loss. However, all of these accidents can be treated and fixed.
Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is also a teeth problem because it can result in your child being too afraid to visit the dentist. This further leads to poor oral hygiene and ignoring dental health issues. That’s why it’s important to start taking your child to a trusted kids’ dentist. Find someone your child will develop a good rapport with and develop trust so that the dentist can provide proper dental care and attention. When your child has a good relationship with their dentist, they won’t lean into this anxiety and start fearing the dentist from an early age. Those who develop dental anxiety early on continue to have this fear even as they grow older.
Bad breath
Bad breath is a health problem and material for other kids to tease your child about. This can affect their confidence because kids aren’t aware that someone is being mean to them on purpose. If you sense that your child might have bad breath, first check up on their teeth brushing routine. It’s not uncommon for a child to skip their teeth brushing routine. Also, it can be a sign of a bacteria buildup and an issue called halitosis.
Teeth misalignment
As your child starts developing a full set of teeth, the teeth can grow in all directions, and the final result can be either an overcrowded jaw, misaligned teeth, protruding teeth, and others. All of these issues are treated with orthodontic treatment.
Sometimes it’s a result of excessive thumb sucking or using a pacifier for too long. Other times it can be a genetic feature while it can also just happen. However, almost everyone can have a set of perfectly aligned teeth, especially kids, as this tooth problem is easily treated at an early age. It’s worth emphasizing that misaligned teeth can cause an array of health problems later in life, so it’s best to treat it during childhood.
Excessive thumb sucking
Thumb sucking is a soothing activity for children. Children suck their thumbs during the oral stage of development. However, some kids continue to suck on their thumbs even past this stage. While it pacifies them and is a soothing behavior, it can cause teeth misalignment later. Especially if this habit continues when the permanent teeth start growing, it can affect their positioning; thus, this habit has to be stopped.
Teeth grinding
Kids can also grind their teeth, press their jaw too hard, and experience issues. Teeth grinding or bruxism can wear down teeth enamel and cause jaw muscle tension, headaches, and even trouble sleeping. So, if you notice that your child is constantly tired, it might be time to establish how they sleep at night. This is usually treated with a mouthguard, usually custom-made so that it fits perfectly and protects teeth from pressure.
In conclusion, prevention is the key to optimal health for both children and adults. This is especially true for children because they need to learn to take care of their teeth from an early age.
