For parents, children’s oral health is a major concern because the thin enamel layer of milk teeth is easily prone to cavities and other damages. There is no denying that good dental hygiene during childhood can ensure a lifetime of smiles. According to the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research data (2011 – 2016), 23% of children between 2 and 5 years old developed dental caries.
It’s evident that just like adults, kids can experience tooth decay and tooth loss because of certain eating and caring habits. If these issues go unnoticed, they can lead to the need for major treatments like Dental veneers for rescue.
So, in order to take some preventative and proactive steps for the tooth welfare of your young ones, enhance awareness with the below list of the most common children’s dental issues.
What are the reasons for dental issues in Children?
When it comes to root causes, poor oral hygiene habits usually top the list. Tooth decay and plaque buildup can result from insufficient brushing and flossing. Sugar-filled diets instill the issue by encouraging tooth cavities and gum disease. Also, tongue thrusting, pacifiers, or thumb sucking can affect dental development and possibly cause misaligned teeth.
It will surprise you after knowing that children might even inherit dental conditions like crowding or misalignment due to genetics, which also plays a part in dental health. Keep reading!
Prevalent Children’s Dental Issues and How You Can Prevent Them
Tooth Decay
The majority of young children struggle to brush their teeth without adult assistance. Cavities can become a significant problem when children’s diets are high in sugar. Tooth decay begins when a gooey plaque grows on the teeth’s surface. Eventually, it eats away the enamel, and the acid in the plaque gradually wears down the tooth.
To Do:
Children should be watched and assisted in brushing their teeth by their parents until they are able to control and hold a toothbrush securely on their own.
Make sure your children brush their teeth every day to remove food, bacteria, and plaque to help stop early tooth decay.
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is quite a common problem among children. It’s important to know that baby teeth act as spacers, allowing adult teeth to move into place when the time comes. If your child loses that tooth too soon, all of the other teeth can possibly shift, crowding out the new permanent teeth later on.
To Do:
Seeing a credible dentist of veneers Sydney on a frequent basis can help spot problems early on.
Maintain appropriate dental health care.
Make your child wear a mouth guard during contact sports and activities to assist in absorbing any stress to the mouth.
Grinding of the Teeth
Some children grind their teeth while sleeping, and the reasons can vary. It could be caused by stress or simply getting familiar with the new teeth that have appeared in their mouth. Whatever the source, one thing is certain: tooth grinding can lead to a variety of dental health issues like tooth wear, fractured teeth, gum recession, etc. In such cases, parents often have to choose porcelain veneers to restore the damaged tooth. But you can still hop on such easy-to-go remedies.
To Do:
Calcium & magnesium-rich diets are of great help.
Avoid sugary food and drinks.
Work on reducing stressors.
Problems during Teething
Teething can be painful and unpleasant for both parents and children. This kind of pain in infants occurs as emerging teeth push through the gums, causing pressure and inflammation. This process irritates nerve endings, resulting in discomfort and soreness.
To Do:
Teething toys can help soothe the pain.
Cold food like yogurt or pureed fruits is usually recommended.
Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a common behavior among young children that might be harmful to their dental health. Prolonged thumb sucking can cause misalignment of the teeth and jaw.
To Do:
Give alternatives to your children, like toys, to keep them occupied.
Identify the possible triggers of this act and then work on them, as there are children who do thumb-sucking out of boredom.
Orthodontic Issues
Dental abnormalities in which the teeth, jaws, or both are crooked or do not fit together properly are orthodontic problems, sometimes malocclusions or bite problems. Genetics play a part in orthodontic issues, with the size and form of the jaw influencing how your child’s teeth develop and erupt. An overbite, underbite, open bite, and spacing abnormalities are some prevalent misalignment concerns in youngsters. These issues can be resolved, and the alignment of the teeth and jaws can be improved with orthodontic treatment, which includes braces, dental veneers, aligners, or other dental appliances.
To Do:
Oral hygiene
Whatever the dentist prescribes, must abide by it.
Wrapping Up
Follow all the preventive measures precisely as instructed if you don’t want dental Veneers, filling, and extraction at a later stage in life. It is crucial to consult dentists as they provide in-depth training on proper brushing and flossing techniques, tooth care products, and the requirement of routine dental checkups.
We encourage parents and kids to practice good oral hygiene habits throughout their lives by educating them about the importance of dental health.
