5 Common Dental Problems in Children and Ways to Treat Them

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Most pediatric dental problems are the same ones that affect adults. However, your child’s teeth are softer so the diseases develop faster and cause more serious complications. Untreated dental problems in your child can result in teeth misalignment, leading to more serious conditions in adulthood. For this reason, parents need to understand common pediatric dental problems and ways to treat them. 

Below are 5 common dental conditions that you need to know. 

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay is a major issue for children. This often happens because of poor dental hygiene and a sugar-heavy diet. These two factors contribute to the accumulation of plaque and bacteria on your child’s teeth. Over time, acid produced by bacteria wears out the enamel and results in cavities. While milky teeth will fall out over time, bad dental habits will remain with your child. This increases the risk of serious dental problems later in life. 

Preventing tooth decay and establishing good dental habits is a task of parents. You need to support your children’s dental hygiene until they can use a toothbrush on their own. Make sure to teach your children to clean their teeth in the right way, so that all plaque and bacterias are removed. If your child already has tooth decay, make sure to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist to get their cavities treated. 

2. Bad breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a dental issue that can affect everyone regardless of age. Chronic bad breath can be a symptom of more serious dental problems like gum disease or tooth decay. If the bad breath persists throughout the day, it can also be a symptom of digestive issues. 

The best way to treat and prevent halitosis is good dental hygiene. Your child needs to use an antibacterial mouthwash, bush, and floss the teeth daily. This helps eliminate bacteria that cause an unpleasant odor in your child’s mouth. 

3. Tooth sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is another common dental problem in children. This is a distracting and uncomfortable issue that often disrupts the child’s routine. The most common problems causing teeth sensitivity include erupted permanent teeth, enamel wear, and tooth decay. A child’s bruxism also known as teeth grinding can also contribute to teeth sensitivity. Besides, it can cause headaches and jaw pain in your child. 

The treatment of teeth sensitivity depends on its cause. In case of enamel wear or tooth decay, the dentist can recommend using toothpaste with fluoride to strengthen the enamel and perform a tooth decay treatment. If bruxism is causing teeth sensitivity, a special night’s mouthguard can help prevent grinding and reduce teeth sensitivity. 

4. Dental emergencies

A dental emergency is a dental issue that can happen at almost any time. Riding a bike or climbing on the jungle gym can all end with broken teeth or other dental emergencies. In severe cases, the tooth can be knocked out completely. 

If the tooth of your child, especially a permanent tooth, was injured, you need to visit the emergency dental office immediately. If the permanent tooth falls out, you need to place it in a glass of milk or saline solution. When acting fast, the dentist can place the tooth back into the socket. 

5. Gum disease

Most parents think that gum disease is a dental problem only seen in adults. However, this isn’t the case. Gingivitis and gum disease are common dental problems for children. Pediatric gingivitis can cause gums redness, swelling, bleeding, and pain. It can be caused by poor dental hygiene, and hormonal changes. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to advanced forms of periodontal disease, so a child’s permanent teeth may grow crooked. 

Good dental hygiene and regular cleanings by a dentist can help fight gingivitis. Your child needs to brush and floss the teeth every day to remove the bacteria. If your child has an advanced form of gum disease, professional dental cleaning is required to remove the plaque and tartar. This will help prevent serious dental problems in the future.