Children’s Oral Health: Common Tooth Problems and Dental Tips

Children have a bigger sweet tooth than any of us. If we do not take care of their dental hygiene, it can cause oral health issues, and the bacteria can enter their bloodstream. With proper oral hygiene and dental care for children, you can avoid the occurrence of cavity, tooth decay and dental infection.

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<p><strong>Children’s Oral Health: Common Tooth Problems and Dental Tips (Infographic)</strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p><img src=”https://www.orisdental.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Childrens-Oral-Health-Common-Tooth-Problems-and-Dental-Tips-infographic.png” alt=”Children’s Oral Health: Common Tooth Problems and Dental Tips”>

1] Importance of Oral Health in Children

Babies are known to suck their fingers and thumbs or use a pacifier. While most children overcome this habit by age 4, continuing this habit for a long can cause problems with teeth alignment. It is important to take your children to regular dental check-ups and put their oral health on the same pedestal of care as their overall body. Early dental care can also help reduce the chances of complicated dental surgery further down the line.

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Cavities in teeth is the most common dental problem amongst children. Children experience cavities in their baby teeth and experience tooth decay as an adult. Hence, taking care of your children’s oral health, beginning with preventative dental care and inculcating good oral hygiene practices, right from a young age is important.

2] Common Tooth Problems Due to Poor Oral Hygiene

I.Tooth decay

Tooth decay is caused by certain types of bacteria that reside and thrive in the mouth. A sticky build-up of bacteria called plaque accumulates on the teeth, and if exposed to foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates, the plaque will produce acids that eat away at a tooth’s enamel. Depending on the severity, post diagnosis, the dentist will suggest an appropriate tooth decay treatment.

II. Bad breath

Imagine no one wanting to sit near your child because they have bad breath. During the night, bacteria in the mouth multiply, which is the leading case of “morning breath”. However, if your child’s bad breath is constant throughout the day, it indicates a bigger issue. An antibacterial mouthwash may help reduce the smell, and cleaning the tongue can help fight the bacteria. But, do visit a dentist to treat the root cause of bad breath

III. Sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth are another common dental problem in children. Hot or cold foods and fluids can cause irritation and discomfort to your children if they have sensitive teeth. The child’s teeth enamel is thinner than adults and can be easily worn-down by plaque and acid if proper oral hygiene is not maintained. Thus, as the enamel begins to wear away, it can affect your child’s gums and develop cracks on the teeth surface, exposing the nerve endings, resulting in teeth sensitivity.

IV. Gum disease

Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is the inflammation of the gum tissue and is often caused by poor oral and dental hygiene plus plaque build-up. Gum disease can progress into bone damage as well as tooth loss. Deposits of plaque and tartar on the base of the teeth begin to affect the gums. During the early stages of gum disease, a child’s gum is red and swollen, as a result of which they bleed easily upon flossing. It also leads to bad breath and constant bad taste in the child’s mouth.

V. Canker sores

Canker sores are ulcers or small sores that form inside the mouth, on the tongue, or on the gums. They are grey or white in the centre with a red border and are painful. To treat canker sores, use toothpaste and mouthwashes without sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and soft-bristled toothbrushes.

3] Dental Tips For Children To Have a Perfect Oral Health

Here are some dentist-recommended dental tips for your children to have the perfect oral health.

I. Start early

• At 6 months, it is recommended that babies stop consuming breast milk or formula during the night as late-night nursing increases the risk of tooth decay due to lactose. The more carbohydrates a child consumes, the greater the risk of tooth cavities.
• Also, by 6 months, children must have fluoride in their water. Plus, children who can brush their teeth must use soft-bristle brushes and toothpaste with fluoride.
• Children must visit the dentist by the age of 1 and follow-up every 3-6 months.
• You must also supervise your children when they are brushing or flossing their teeth. They must inculcate the habit of brushing two times a day and flossing at least once.

II. A good diet for healthy teeth

Sugar-laden foods and drinks increase the risk of cavities. Moreover, these foods also increase the risk of obesity.

To keep teeth healthy, give your children fruits and vegetables that contain a high volume of water, such as watermelon, cucumber, and pears. These are healthy snacks alternative which can help maintain good physical and oral health. If your child consumes bananas or raisins, ensure they brush their teeth after, as these contain high concentrated sugar.

Read: Best And Worst Foods For Your Teeth

III. Floss daily for healthy teeth

Children tend to skip out on flossing, but it is one of the best oral hygiene tips. Dentists recommend flossing once a day, preferably before bedtime, to remove food particles that may have gotten caught between their teeth. If your child finds the traditional floss difficult, there are many options in the market, such as floss picks to make it easier for them.

IV. Regular teeth cleaning at the dentist

You must ensure that your child visits a dentist every 6 months for a routine check-up and cleaning appointment. Regular teeth cleaning by a dentist will remove plaque build-up, which would prevent cavities.

During the routine check-up, the dentist may also take a dental x-ray to check for any developing dental issues. Diagnosing dental issues in their early stages makes treatment easier & effective and prevents complications later.

V. Fluoride treatments

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps strengthen the tooth enamel. A dentist may recommend and administer fluoride treatments to prevent teeth cavities and decay. Depending on their dental health, children can receive two to four fluoride treatments per/year. They can start receiving fluoride treatments as soon as their first tooth appears.

VI. Brushing their teeth, the right way

Even before your child starts getting teeth, you can clean their gums using a clean and damp cloth. For 6-12 months babies, clean their teeth with a small child-sized soft toothbrush without using any toothpaste.

From 18 months of age onwards, you may brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a small quantity of fluoride toothpaste. Ensure that the child doesn’t swallow the toothpaste and spits it out.

If children are reluctant to follow the teeth brushing routine, establish a song routine, or use a tooth-brushing app for the same. Try to make it fun, as establishing a routine in the early stages will help form a habit.

Conclusion

Generally, baby teeth start to appear between 4 to 7 months, and their first teeth are usually the bottom front teeth. Most kids have a set of 20 baby teeth by age 3, and they can lose their baby teeth as early as age 6 and as late as 12 years. Some children might also need orthodontic treatment like braces, depending upon the structure of their teeth.

Just like good habits that are taught, practised, and inculcated in children from an early age, oral health is one such practice that must follow suit as well. It is important to take your children to regular dental check-ups and put their oral health on the same pedestal of care as their overall body.

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