As you attempt to remedy your child's dental problems you should know that's a child's teeth are still developing and therefore their problems may slightly different from that of adults. As a child, your child's teeth are a bit younger and softer than the ones they would develop as they grow older.
When they have problems with their baby teeth it can lead to misaligned teeth and the development and other more serious conditions as your child grows. This is why it is important to take care of the teeth from a very young age.
There are many problems that are common in children's oral health. These include thumb-sucking, tooth decay, tooth injuries, and early tooth loss. We spoke to a representative from BGM Dental, who shared some of the most common dental problems that occur in children.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Whenever a baby's teeth are in constant contact with sugars from fruit juice milk or any other drinks, it results in tooth decay. This is because the sugars form an acid that erodes the enamel of the teeth. At this stage in your child's development, the teeth tend to softer so this results in rapid tooth decay. Breastfed infants are also at risk for tooth decay, even when they fall asleep with unswallowed milk in their mouth.
If you are inclined to have gum disease or tooth decay, your kids are likely to have this inclination as well. Therefore, in some cases, even the best oral hygiene habits will not stop your child from developing cavities. This is why it is always best to consult your dentist if your child informs you of any tooth pain. At this stage, it could be a sign of a cavity that needs treatment.
Thumb Sucking
Whenever thumb sucking extends beyond the age of 5, and the permanent teeth begin to develop, there are serious dental problems. The teeth are sometimes thrust out of alignment, making them protrude and form an overbite. Because of this, your child may also have a hard time pronouncing words correctly, and this crucial stage of their development.
In most cases, there is usually an underlying reason for thumb-sucking in children. If you want your child to break the habit, you can start by finding out why he/she is practicing this behavior. You should also look for stressors in your child's environment that may provide some insight into he/she is behaving this way. Your child may give up thumb-sucking naturally when these issues are removed but if they do not, then you look into dental appliances that prevent the thumb-sucking.
Tooth injuries
Children who engage in sports must take special care of their teeth every day, not only with good dental hygiene but also on the field. Parents need to ensure that their children are adequately protected on the field through helmets, mouth guards, and proper preparation for contact sports. If you fail to protect your child, it could result in some time taken away from the sport due to treatment and recovery from dental procedures as well as other serious consequences.
Athletic training can be tough, and with all those challenges, you should ensure that dental problems aren't one of them. Dental professionals recommend taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that you're at your best on the field.
Preventative Care
Make daily dental habits a top priority for your child because if you make the teeth stronger, he/she would have a better chance of preventing sports injuries. This is because healthy teeth are stronger teeth. In other words, your child's teeth would be more likely to resist impact.
You need to teach your child to take time while brushing the teeth and try to do it after each meal. Ensure to get a new toothbrush for your child when needed and always use a good fluoride toothpaste. When it comes to flossing be gentle on your child's tender gums but try to floss regularly.
You will be able to prevent the need for extensive dental work by attending Regular checkups and practicing good dental hygiene. Furthermore, you should also, ensure that your children are using mouthguards while playing sports, this can thwart serious dental injuries.
