Dental problems are not uncommon among children. However, because of the little ones' limited physical capabilities and still forming most of their habits, "the struggle is real" regarding caring for their teeth. This is why they are quite prone to developing dental issues.
So, what are the most common dental problems among young children? Our Melbourne children's dentists here at Bayside Smiles have listed five of them below:
1. Gum or Periodontal Disease
Many people think that gum disease is only for adults, but young children are also susceptible to developing it. Once children have teeth and proper oral care is not implemented, plaque can form at the base of the teeth, which is connected to the gums.
Plaque breeds bacteria that can infect the gums. Infection can lead to other complications that can further compromise oral health and wellness.
2. Shark Teeth
This dental issue occurs when children get two rows of teeth in their mouth because they have not yet lost their milk teeth, but their permanent teeth have already sprouted out of the gums. With the space not yet vacated, new teeth grow out from the back of where they truly should be, thereby creating two rows of teeth.
3. Thumbsucking
Thumb-sucking is a habit that a lot of children have.
However, they are expected to outgrow the habit once they start getting their teeth because it can mess up the alignment. Teeth may develop in a protruded direction, resulting in a minor speech defect (lisping).
4. Teeth Clenching or Grinding
This is another dental issue that many think only occurs in adults. But teeth grinding is also common among children; sometimes, they do not only grind their teeth when asleep.
Concentrating on certain activities prompts them to rub their upper and lower teeth against each other. Sometimes, they simply enjoy the feeling. Studies also reveal that many hyperactive kids and those with certain medical conditions (such as cerebral palsy) tend to grind their teeth often.
Teeth grinding can result in worn-down teeth and other types of facial pain.
5. Tooth Decay or Cavities
This is, perhaps, the most common out of all the dental problems kids get, and it is all due to poor oral care practices. For example, when the little ones sleep with a bottle of milk in their mouth, eat a lot of sweets, and do not brush their teeth properly, all of these can lead to cavities or tooth decay.
When mouth bacteria are allowed to proliferate in the mouth, it is only a matter of time before damage to the teeth manifests.
How to Prevent Children's Dental Issues
Identifying the problems and what causes them is the perfect foundation for establishing corrective and preventative measures.
Most dental problems discussed above can easily be prevented with proper and regular oral care. Brushing the teeth should be done correctly to get rid of food debris caught between teeth and eliminate mouth bacteria that cause plaque. Make the activity fun for the little ones, and they will protest less when asked to brush.
Older kids can be taught to include flossing into their oral care routine, while kids aged six to 12 may be trained to use a gentle non-alcohol mouth rinse under strict adult supervision.
Meanwhile, the best thing to do for shark teeth is to schedule your child to quickly extract their milk teeth to make way for the growth of permanent teeth. The visit to the dentist also presents an opportunity for a close oral examination. This will determine the condition of the new permanent teeth and if there will be issues with their development.
As for thumb-sucking, these are the best solutions:
- There's no better way to halt this habit than to modify your children's behaviour. Give them other sources of comfort since thumb-sucking is a habit formed out of the gratification the little ones get from it.
- When children do an excellent job of avoiding the habit, offer positive reinforcement or a reward; this can do wonders in teaching the young ones how to control their potentially harmful inclinations and be better.
Lastly, for teeth grinding, these are your options:
- See your dentist. Your children may need to wear a mouth guard that the dentist will prepare.
- Another solution to consider are relaxation exercises. Children can feel stress too, which is one of the main reasons why they grind their teeth. Providing them with strategies that will help them release their stress can make them less prone to clenching their teeth.
Bayside Smiles to the Rescue
If you require more information about children's oral health, we at Bayside Smiles are always ready to help.
Set an appointment at Bayside Smiles near you for your little ones' dental care. We also offer emergency dental care for dental accidents and other dental woes requiring immediate attention and treatment.
Likewise, check back in here frequently. We regularly post advice and tips to increase your understanding of total oral health care for the family.