Dental care relates to the state of their health status, and it is much more significant for a child at their formative years. Beyond contributing to healthy teeth and gums, early dental care promotes the establishment of lifetime good oral hygiene. They develop some types of dental issues from their eruptive teeth, bad eating habits, and sometimes an inadequately done oral health routine. It is because this blog addresses dental problems commonly observed in children, the best time, and ways of its prevention early.
1. Cavities and Tooth Decay
One of the most common problems children experience is cavities. Tooth decay happens when oral bacteria break down sugars from food and beverages into acids that destroy the enamel of the teeth. Kids are especially prone to cavities due to snacking, sweet diets, and infrequent brushing.
How to Manage It:
- Children should brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Limit sweet snacks and beverages to help expose them to some healthier alternatives, as well, including fruits and vegetables.
Dental Checkup
Schedule regular dentist visits for checking and preventive procedures like fluoride application or dental sealants.
2. Sensitive Teeth
Kids’ teeth may be sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet food. It could be an indication of enamel loss, cavity, or gingival recession that exposes some of the inner structures of the teeth.
How to Treat It:
•Use sensitive teeth toothpaste.
•Avoid acidic foods and drinks that cause enamel erosion.
•Visit a pediatric dentist to identify and treat the underlying cause of sensitivity.
3. Thumb-Sucking and Its Effects
•Thumb-sucking is a common comfort habit in young children. Prolonged thumb-sucking, however can cause misalignment of the teeth, bite problems, and speech difficulties.
How to Fix It:
•Ask your child to stop thumb-sucking by age 3 or even earlier.
•Reward positive reinforcement and distract them with their favorite toy or activity.
•Visit a dentist in case the child continues thumb sucking and get behavior-modification tools such as a thumb guard for them.
4. Teething Troubles
Teething can be a hard time for babies and also the parents. When the primary set of teeth erupts, babies feel pain, drool and become irritable.
How to Deal With It:
•Provide a clean, chilled teething ring to rub on sore gums.
•Massage the baby’s gum with the help of a clean finger.
•Seek pediatric dentist if symptoms are worse.
5. Misaligned Teeth (Malocclusion)
Poor or crookedly maligned teeth often cause dental bites and conditions of the child. It may be due to genetics, thumb-sucking, or an extended use of a pacifier.
How to Treat It:
• Schedule an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to detect and address early and malaligned issues.
•Braces or other corrective appliances if the dentist recommends them.
6. Gingivitis (Gum Diseases)
Gingivitis is when the gums of a child inflame due to lousy oral hygiene. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and even bleeding gums.
How to Fix It:
•Let children brush and floss with proper techniques for removing plaque formation.
•Dental cleanings can prevent the occurrence of gingivitis and other gum diseases.
•When there are problems with the gums, consult with a dentist and have them check it out quickly.
7. Dental Injuries
Active kids are at risk of dental injury, such as chipped or knocked out teeth. This often occurs during sports or play.
How to Manage It:
- Encourage the use of mouthguard during sports activities.
- In the event of a dental injury, rinse the mouth with water and see a dentist right away.
- If the permanent tooth is knocked out, preserve the tooth in milk or saline, and have an emergency visit with a dentist.
Preventive Tips for Parents
•Prevention is better than cure. Here are a few more tips on how to maintain your child’s oral health:
•Start cleaning the gums of your child even before the eruption of the first tooth.
•Use a toothbrush along with an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste once the teeth have erupted.
•Make brushing and flossing a fun and interesting experience so as to build healthy habits.
•Schedule routine dental visits every six months.
Summary
Parents seeking specialist and trustworthy pediatric dental care can seek the help of Dolphin Dental Care, located at Wakad, Pune.
The clinic comes under the banner of Dr. Amritha Menon- dedicated pediatric dentist based in Kaspate Wasti, Wakad, Pune, whom they rely on to provide all of their child’s dental care needs with accuracy. Known as the best dentist in Wakad, Dr. Menon is a one-stop solution for common problems children have, and by doing so creates a wonderful positive dental experience which leaves both little ones and mums smiling. Dolphin Dental Care provides a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child by offering early intervention and prevention. Experience compassionate, expert care tailored to the dental health needs of your child. Make an appointment today.