Problems Dentists Often See in Children

One of the first things you may notice about a small child is her eyes, and after that her wide, toothy grin. Most children have healthy teeth because they have not had much time to develop plaque and other oral problems. Yet, sadly, many dentists find kids with horrible dental diseases early in their lives. As a parent, you need to know what types of problems kids can have and the steps you should take to fix them. 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

If a baby uses a bottle, and even sometimes if he nurses, he can develop this problem. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is an early form of tooth decay, typically occurring on the front teeth, caused by constant exposure to drinks other than water. Putting a baby to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or formula is the most common cause of this, but it can occur in nursing infants who sleep with their mothers and nurse constantly throughout the night. The sugars in these drinks stay on the baby’s teeth during the night, and this constant exposure can lead to tooth decay. To prevent this, brush your baby’s teeth with a washcloth after their last feeding, and do not put them to bed with a bottle.

Missing Teeth

If your baby or young child looses a tooth, you may not be concerned. It is a baby tooth, after all, right? But dentists often feel differently. The “baby” teeth serve as a pattern for the alignment and placement of the adult teeth. If baby teeth fall out too early, it can disrupt this alignment. Poorly aligned permanent teeth can cause problems with the jaw and bite. 

Thumb Sucking

Once your child starts getting her permanent teeth, you need to do all you can to prevent thumb sucking. Dentists will tell you that thumb sucking can change the alignment of the jaw or the roof of the mouth, and this can in turn causes an overbite. Similarly, a child who constantly sucks her lower lip can have these same problems. This behavior usually cures itself by age five before it is a danger, but if your child is struggling to give up this comfort, you may need to take steps to stop the behavior. 

Poor Nutrition

The foods your child eats play a direct role on their oral health. Sugary foods will eventually wear down the teeth and cause tooth decay. If you decide to give your child sugary foods, consider doing so after a meal. The extra saliva in the child’s mouth will help wash away this sugar. Have your child brush his teeth after every meal, and only offer sugar-free gum if you let your child chew gum. 

Remember, dentists can do much to help with these problems, but the best cure is prevention. As your child’s parent, it is your job to ensure that they have good oral health from birth, so start making changes today that will positively affect your child’s teeth in the future.