Dental Problems Explained

Aren’t children swell? Yup, for the most part, these little bundles of joy are awesome and a delight to have. However, in some cases, there are some factors like dental pain and other oral issues that can put a damper or your child-rearing experience. Heads up! we’re going to explain some of the most common childhood dental problems that parents should look out for. Preventing these issues is the key here because prevention will ensure that your child has a decreased risk of having to experience any of these issues.

Cavities and Tooth Decay

Discovering that your child has cavities or tooth decay may come as a surprise to you. Cavities, for the most part, can go unnoticed by the naked eye and tooth decay that is developing between teeth may never be seen until you visit a dentist’s office. Don’t be alarmed, cavities are a common issue for most children and tooth decay can be experienced as well. 20% of children between the ages of 5 to 11 in the US experience will experience both or one of the two.

Certain bacteria from foods cause decay and eventual cavities. Foods with high sugar and carbohydrate content are the main culprit in almost all cases. These foods tend to create an environment in the mouth that is perfect for bacterial plaque build-up.

Sucking Thumb

A sleeping child is a calming sight to see. However, seeing a thumb sucking sleeping child may to a bit of worry. Thumb sucking can cause serious oral issues for a child if the habit continues during the tooth-eruption process. Issues related to alignment are the most visible, but the issues that are caused by the alignment can be even worse. Misaligned teeth are at greater risk for tooth decay, cavities, and even speech complications

For most children, the habit normally fades away by the time they reach two or three years of age. However, if your child is still practicing thumbsucking after 2 years old you may want to take some measures to help them quit.

Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by many factors, the chief reason though is usually due to some form of enamel erosion. Enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth decay are all conditions that expose the inner nerve ending of the tooth. As a result this exposure, your child will experience a sharp sensation in the affected area any time he/she takes in foods that are very cold or very hot.

One of the best options for preventing sensitive teeth among children is dental sealants. These are a plastic coating that is adhered to the outer layer of the teeth to protect the teeth from erosion.

Bruxism or Teeth Grinding

Have you ever heard your child grind his/her teeth while sleeping? If yes, then you should treat this matter with the importance and attention that it deserves.

Teeth Grinding or Bruxism is experienced by children as young as 2 years old. This simple gesture can indicate a wide range of underlying oral health concerns. This is why it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. With continuous grinding, your child may experience loss of enamel or tooth loss.

Aphthous Ulcer or Canker Sores

Ulcers or canker sores can be identified by their distinct look, They may present themselves as gray or white spots with red borders around them. Having ulcers or canker sore is not something that can be ignored because they come with lots of pain, especially for children.

Children are susceptible to the mouth sore due to their sensitive immune system. Since the immune system is still developing and unable to fight off inflammation and/or infection like that of an adult, children have an increased risk of developing ulcers. Although the exact causes are not identified yet, some factors that are believed to contribute to the formation of ulcers are:

    • Stress
    • Anxiety
    • Food Habit
    • Vitamin Deficiency

Unlike fever blister, canker sores will not spread from one kid to another. Getting rid of them might not be so easy, and even if you do succeed at eliminating the sores, they often times reappear. You may see a re-emergence after one or two weeks after you believe the issue has been resolved. Children who have canker sore or ulcers should be treated by a dental professional, this is in order to avoid infection.

Our Dental Practice in Monroe, NC

Monroe Family Dentistry is there for you and your children from day one and we are happy to work with you and your child to start habits from birth. If you live near Monroe, NC call us to schedule an appointment today at 704.776.4278.

These are just some of the services we provide. To learn more about our dental practice in Monroe NC and the services we provide, call us or submit an appointment request.

Summary
Top 7 Childhood Dental Problems Explained | Dentist In Monroe NC
Article Name
Top 7 Childhood Dental Problems Explained | Dentist In Monroe NC
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Most dental issues in childhood are common and not severe. We've explained the most common ones for your convenience.
Dr. Mjahed's Team
Monroe Family Dentistry
Monroe Family Dentistry
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