Most Common Kids’ Dental Problems

The importance of kids’ dental health is often overlooked by many parents due to the belief that dental issues in children occur only after a certain age. Some even think that since their teeth aren’t permanent at the start, they’ll eventually fall out later anyway. This blog discuss the most common Kids’ Dental Problems according to the Pediatric dentists in Dubai.

However, in actuality, dental-related issues are most common among kids and children of all ages. From end up with a broken tooth while climbing the jungle gym to poor brushing habits leading to tooth decay, anything can happen.
If these dental problems are left untreated, they can lead to severe infections and a variety of other issues in the future when your child grows older.

Healthy oral hygiene habits need to be inculcated for your kids’ dental health right from the point when their first set of teeth grows in. A thorough understanding of common pediatric dental problems is essential for parents in order to prevent the occurrence of dental issues in children. Take a look at some of the most common kids’ dental problems that you ought to know about and look out for in your kids, regardless of their age.

Cavities and Tooth Decay

This is one of the most common of all dental conditions faced by kids caused due to an accumulation of sticky plaque on the surface of the teeth. Plaque contains strong acids that feed on the enamel of the teeth, eventually leading to tooth decay.

One major reason for plaque accumulation is unsupervised brushing and flossing. Young children aren’t really adept at brushing their teeth without parental supervision. On top of that, many kids tend to have sugar-enriched diets, which can lead to cavities in the teeth if not brushed properly. Regular visits to the pediatric dentist for routine dental checkups are vital for early decay detection and preventing it from getting worse.

Gum Disease

Also referred to as Gingivitis, this is an early-stage gum disease that occurs in adults more frequently, but can also affect children if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained. It causes inflammation in the gum tissue due to plaque buildup, which leads to swollen gums, red and bleeding gums, bad breath, and even tooth loss in extreme cases.

Gingivitis or gum disease treatment can easily avoid and prevent the consequences that occurred to the issue. Daily and proper brushing, followed by regular dental visits are a must.

Early Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is one of the most common dental issues in children, and it mainly occurs due to injury or decay. Although losing milk teeth is a part of the natural developmental process, there are times when it happens earlier than usual. Premature tooth loss can cause significant damage to your child’s permanent teeth, leading to the growth of misaligned or poorly developed teeth.

Tooth Sensitivity

There’s nothing more uncomfortable than sensitive teeth, which can greatly affect your kids’ dental health. Tooth sensitivity typically occurs in children due to several factors such as cracked filling, teeth grinding, wearing off of the enamel, exposed nerve endings, and formation of cavities in the teeth, to name a few.
As a result of this, every time your child eats and drinks something hot or cold, it causes severe irritation and discomfort in the teeth.

Misaligned Teeth

Medically known as ‘malocclusion,’ tooth misalignment is another common kids’ dental problem that can lead to serious health complications.

Misaligned teeth tend to grow sideways or crooked, and the most common reasons for it are early loss of baby teeth, gum disease, mouth tumors improper dental fillings, and excessive pressure on the gums and teeth.
This requires immediate orthodontic care and treatment in order to prevent crooked or misaligned teeth.

Bad Breath

Another problem that affects your kids’ dental health is bad breath, which is also referred to as halitosis.
It can affect anyone at any age and point in time and tends to leave a bad, bitter taste in the mouth. A simple explanation for bad breath is the kind of food you eat.

Leftover foods in the mouth are breeding grounds for bacteria that feed on the food and produce hydrogen sulfide, which, in turn, causes a bad smell in the mouth. Proper oral health and hygiene is the simplest way to prevent halitosis and to make the mouth smell fresh and nice. However, if your child is experiencing chronic bad breath, it could possibly be an indication of a deeper, more serious issue in the gums or teeth.

Canker Sores

These are small sores or ulcers that grow on the tongue, gums, or inside the mouth. They are typically characterized by white-grayish centers surrounded by red borders.

Canker sores occur due to many factors such as infection, allergies, and nutritional deficiencies. They can also grow as a result of minor injuries to the mouth or teeth from accidental teeth bites or aggressive brushing.
The sores can make eating and drinking difficult for your child, which is why it’s a must to promote proper brushing habits in your child from the very start.

Dental Injuries

Considering how hyperactive and excited the majority of young kids are, many tend to experience dental injuries or emergencies while playing or other such activities. They can literally happen any time, such as while playing sports, riding a bike, or fighting with siblings, to name a few.

These accidents can result in cracked teeth, teeth chipping, or even permanent tooth loss. Although parents can’t really prevent such scenarios from occurring, you can protect your child’s teeth during such activities with the help of a custom mouthguard.

Key Takeaway

There are various different types of kids’ dental problems, each of which varies in terms of seriousness, extremity, and effects on dental health.

However, in any case, it is essential to promote healthy dental habits such as daily brushing and flossing, and also limiting the consumption of sugary foods and drinks in order to prevent the occurrence of dental issues in children.

Dr. Paul’s Dental Clinic

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