Many dental diseases affecting children are the same as those affecting adults, but your child’s teeth are still growing, softer, and younger than their permanent counterparts. Untreated dental illnesses can result in poor tooth development and misalignment, leading to more serious problems as a child matures. You and your child will be better able to avoid common dental conditions if you understand their causes. Here are children’s most common dental conditions and techniques to prevent them.
Cavities
It is possible to avoid cavities, often known as caries or tooth decay. Even though cavities are unlikely to endanger your child’s life, they can greatly affect their quality of life.
When teeth and gums are regularly exposed to large quantities of starches and sugars, acids can accumulate and erode tooth enamel. Carbohydrate-rich foods and beverages like sweets, biscuits, soft drinks, and fruit juices leave deposits on your teeth. Together with the bacteria in the mouth, these deposits produce plaque. When deposits and plaque interact, acids can erode the tooth’s mineral structure, resulting in dental decay.
Good oral hygiene is necessary for cavity prevention. Ensure your youngster brushes his or her teeth for two minutes twice a day and flosses regularly. If your child is too young to brush his or her teeth, speak with a practitioner of excellent pediatric dentistry in Lakewood Ranch about the steps you may take as a parent to maintain oral health.
Sensitive Teeth
Did you know your teeth expand and contract when the temperature changes? Even though it is normal for temperature swings to cause transitory discomfort, sensitive teeth react more strongly. For example, those with sensitive teeth may experience discomfort or irritation when consuming hot and cold foods and beverages.
Enamel might deteriorate over time, gums recede, and teeth can develop minute fissures that expose the inner tooth and irritate nerve endings. Some individuals with sensitive teeth may experience discomfort even when breathing cold air.
Vital for preventing sensitive teeth is a healthy gum condition. Ensure that your child visits the dentist from places like Bradenton family dentistry at least twice a year to have his or her gums examined.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can lead to swelling, tooth loss, and bone degradation.
Plaque, a gluey film of bacteria, is the origin of gum disease. In the first stages of gingivitis, the gums grow red and swollen and bleed easily. Teeth may fall out or require extraction as periodontitis advances.
Generally, gum disease is preventable and may largely be avoided by brushing and flossing daily. Gum disease is characterized by persistent bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth.
Bad Breath
Daily brushing and flossing help prevent the collection of food particles, plaque, and bacteria. Food particles that linger in the mouth decompose, resulting in foul breath.
Certain foods, such as garlic and anchovies, might induce temporary bad breath, but persistent bad breath may suggest gum disease or another dental issue. If your child has horrible breath, visit a pediatric dentist from this page.
Orthodontic Issues
A misaligned bite (malocclusion) can be inherited, or some forms can be acquired. Missing or extra teeth can cause malocclusion, teeth crowding, or misaligned jaws. Accidents or developmental issues, such as prolonged thumb or finger sucking, can cause malocclusions.
Orthodontic procedures, such as braces and aligners, can assist your child with malocclusions. To prevent malocclusion in the first place, ensure that your child’s teeth growth and development are inspected periodically by our dentists, and advise your child to wear a sports mouth guard to prevent sports-related injuries.
Conclusion
Childhood is a period of inquiry, discovery, and maturation. Your children can avoid tooth decay if they develop healthy dental hygiene practices at an early age, and these habits will last a lifetime. With a little direction and care, you may help your child transition from childhood to adolescence without the sound of a dental drill.
