Most common dental problems for children and their treatments

Dental problems affect people of all ages; however, children are more susceptible to some dental issues than others. As children’s teeth are still developing and comparatively softer, staying on top of their dental health is of the utmost importance. Otherwise, untreated dental complications could lead to long-term problems like misalignment, plaque buildup, cavities, and much more.

That’s why understanding command dental problems that are likely to affect children is the best solution to prevent them. Here are the most common dental problems that occur in children, accompanied by their treatments:

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay, also known as cavities, is children’s most prevalent dental problem. It occurs when the bacteria in mouth produce harmful acids that end up chipping away at the tooth enamel. Young children are only adept at brushing and flossing if supervised. Moreover, children are more likely to frequently consume sugary foods and drinks, which ends up becoming a major issue.

To treat tooth decay in children, dentists remove the decayed portion of that tooth and fill the hole with a hard composite material. This treatment is called tooth filling. In some cases, a dental crown may also be put in. To prevent tooth decay in the future, dentists may also recommend fluoride treatment and dental sealants.

2. Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth are not only uncomfortable, but they can also be distracting. They end up disrupting your child’s everyday routine or pulling them from focusing on their studies. In children, tooth sensitivity is caused due to multiple reasons like cavities, enamel wear, teeth grinding, missing filling, and more.

There are multiple treatments available for sensitive teeth which help reduce your child’s pain and discomfort. Treatment will depend mostly on the root cause of the sensitivity. Dentists may suggest using a desensitizing toothpaste or offer in-clinic fluoride treatments to help strengthen the tooth. Tooth sensitivity is usually linked to a dental problem, so it’s advisable to take your child to the dentist immediately.

3. Gingivitis and Gum Diseases

There’s a general misconception that gum disease is a problem faced by adults. However, that’s not the case. Gingivitis or gum disease can also occur in children and is one of the most common reasons to visit a pediatric dentist . Gingivitis, or gum disease, happens when gums are inflamed due to bacterial infection, leading to red, swollen, or bleeding gums. It is usually caused by plaque buildup, poor oral hygiene, or a pre-existing medical condition.

The treatment for gum disease in children ranges from professional dental clearing to removing plaque and tartar buildup. Dentists may also prescribe antibiotics and antimicrobial mouthwash to minimize infection. Usually, gum diseases in children can be avoided if parents ensure their kids are brushing and flossing daily. But if your kid shows signs of gum disease, it is essential to address it promptly, as it can cause irreparable tooth loss if left untreated.

4. Thumb Sucking

Infants and toddlers can usually be seen sucking their thumbs or a pacifier. It is natural for them to calm themselves and is not generally a cause for concern. However, it becomes a problem if the child grows older and still continues with the habit. Prolonged thumb sucking can hinder a child’s teeth development. Considering this, parents should discourage their children from thumb-sucking once they’re over 2-3 years of age.

Chronic thumb sucking and use of pacifiers result in an open bite. An open bite is a dental problem when the upper front teeth don’t align with the lower front teeth, thus leaving a gap when the mouth is closed. This can damage your child’s ability to bite and chew. If your child is still into the habit of thumb sucking when they’re well into their 5th year, you should consult a dentist to help break the habit.

5. Damaged Tooth in Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can’t be predicted. Children love playing outdoors, and activities like cycling, roughhousing with friends, and playing soccer could, unfortunately, result in a dental accident. Kids could either chip or crack their teeth or maybe even lose one completely.

Parents should set an appointment with the dentist immediately in case of dental emergencies. If the child ends up knocking out one of their permanent teeth, then you can place it in a saline solution or clear water and take it with you to the dentist. Doing so may help dentists reattach the tooth with the help of a retainer.

6. Misalignment

Also medically known as malocclusion, misalignment or improper positioning of teeth is a common problem in growing children. It can occur due to genetic factors, prolonged pacifier use, improper jaw development, or thumb sucking. Misalignment of teeth can lead to difficulties in biting, chewing, and even speaking.

The treatment for misalignment in children depends on the severity of the case. Parents can consult orthodontists, who may then advise for treatments like braces, retainers, or clear aligners. In some instances, dentists may also recommend tooth extraction to create space for alignment.

To sum it up, dental problems in children, if left untreated, can significantly impact their oral health. Gum disease, dental trauma, and tooth decay are some of the most common dental problems plaguing children. That’s why seeking professional dental care, maintaining good oral hygiene practices, and following preventive measures can help promote optimal oral health in children.

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How to Look After Your Teeth While Wearing Braces

Oral hygiene is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. Our teeth are one of the very important parts of our body because they help us in chewing food. Any orthodontic treatment requires careful attention and hygiene practices that you must always keep in mind to prevent any discomfort in the future. However, if you have braces, whether metal or any other kind, it is even more important to take care of your dental hygiene.

Braces are used to correct dental misalignments and ensure that your teeth are aligned well. Given the nature of braces, the dentist always assigns healthy practices that you need to follow in order to maintain your braces and complete your treatment. If you do not follow the following mentioned oral health practices, you are risking obstructing your orthodontic treatment plan and prolonging your treatment. The following tips can help you carefully maintain good oral hygiene with braces and ensure that your treatment is hassle-free and effective.

1. Brush properly

While brushing is important for everyone regardless of braces, it becomes more important to regularly brush your teeth while you have braces. It is easier for food particles and plaque to accumulate around your braces. To prevent cavities or stains, you should try to brush after every meal. If brushing your teeth after every meal seems difficult, then make sure that you at least rinse your mouth after all your meal and brush twice every day. Usually, your dentist will assign proper mouth rinse and toothpaste you need to brush your teeth depending on the particular kind of braces you have. It is important to use the products advised by your dentist to prevent damaging your braces. Your dentist will also explain the correct technique to brush your teeth properly, as you need to hold your toothbrush at an upward angle when brushing from the bottom and a downward angle when brushing the top.

2. Floss regularly

It is vital to floss your teeth regularly when you have braces as it will help in removing food particles stuck between your teeth and your braces. You should floss once every day while you have braces. It is crucial to use the right technique to floss your teeth, as advised by your orthodontist. You also need to floss gently in order to prevent damaging your braces. Always stand in front of the mirror while flossing. Do not pull the floss from under the wire, and change your floss if it is covered in debris. Also, do not forget to properly rinse your mouth properly after you have completed flossing your teeth.

3. Avoid certain foods

While very few food items are entirely off limits when you get braces, your orthodontist will advise you to prevent eating certain kinds of foods to ensure that you don’t damage your braces. Any kind of crunchy, hard foods like nuts, candies, or corn kernels can damage your braces and break the metal wires. Therefore, it is best to always avoid them completely or turn them into forms that do not harm your braces. For example, instead of eating whole nuts and seeds, you can make a powder of them and add them to other foods which are easy to eat with braces. You also need to avoid most foods and drinks which contain high levels of processed sugar to prevent your teeth from getting stained. While eating fruits, make sure you cut them into small pieces instead of biting into the entire fruit. You also should be avoiding all kinds of sticky, chewy food as it can damage your braces and make it extremely difficult to clean your braces and teeth after eating.

4. Pay attention to overall oral care

Although it is a long and arduous process, it is important for every person who wears braces to go for regular, scheduled checkups for their braces. If you correctly follow the advice of your orthodontist, you will have better results from your orthodontic treatment. If your braces break during your treatment, do not delay contacting your dentist, as it can prolong the treatment process or cause injury. Follow the dietary restrictions provided by your dentist and always ensure that you are only using the right kind of products for taking care of your oral hygiene. If you experience any kind of pain, only follow the treatments prescribed by your dentist and book a quick appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Conclusion

If you have braces, you need to follow oral hygiene practices to ensure that your braces do not get damaged. You also need to follow certain dietary restrictions advised by your orthodontist. You also need to fully ensure that you are following the correct techniques and products to clean your teeth and care for your braces. The dental tips mentioned above can surely help you a lot in looking after your teeth and braces and ensure that you have a successful orthodontist treatment.

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The Link Between Oral Health and Overall Health

Oral health is an integral part of every human body’s holistic health and well-being. Unsurprisingly, our mouths are the entry point to most things that go into our bodies. The mouth is also the first part of the digestive system and respiratory systems of our body. Oral health encompasses the condition of our mouth, gums, teeth, and orofacial structures, which enable us to perform different important bodily functions like eating, speaking, and breathing.

Besides biological functions, oral health also contributes to the betterment of psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence and the ability to socialize and work without pain or embarrassment. An example of this would be low self-confidence experienced by someone who has braces or visible cavities or yellow teeth, which may affect their ability to speak with confidence. Even bad mouth odor can contribute to low self-confidence. Therefore, oral health does not only affect our internal bodily function but also our external well-being.

Any imbalance in oral health contributes to oral diseases and other uncomfortable conditions such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, oral cancer, dental trauma, cleft lip, or any other such birth defects. According to the WHO, oral diseases are one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world, affecting around 3.5 billion people around the world. It is important to understand the connection between oral health and overall health so that you can avoid oral diseases and ensure that your oral health does not contribute to any other diseases or bodily discomfort.

What is a healthy mouth?

Your mouth starts with your lips and ends at your throat. A healthy mouth entails having moist tissues which are free from any pain or odor. The gums are not supposed to be red and swollen and should not bleed when your brush your teeth or floss. A healthy mouth will also not have any teeth decay or cavities, nor should there be any lumps, ulcers, or unusual coloring anywhere in the mouth. A healthy mouth means that it does not hurt when your chew or brush your teeth.

Oral Health and Nutrition

A fully functional, disease-free human body requires eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein. Often, any kind of oral health issue, like dental pain, ulcers, or dental cavities, can adversely affect the eating habits of a person. If you experience any such issues, you will know that such oral health issues limit your ability to eat certain kinds of foods which might be rich in essential nutrients. Further, oral diseases may also lead to people eating fewer meals, which further inhibits the intake of adequate amounts of nutrients in the body. Due to this, oral health issues can result in malnutrition. It is important to ensure you have good oral health because nutrient absorption begins in your mouth, and if you suffer from any deficiencies or other imbalances which may contribute to inflammation, bad oral health could potentially lead to chronic inflammation and, consequently, other diseases.

The connection between Oral Health and Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a serious neurological disease that affects 1 in 10 adults above the age of 65. It results in memory loss, dementia, and the loss of the ability to function independently. A study done by doctors and researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry found that the mice that were exposed to gum diseases suffered from neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and senile plaque formation, which were similar to Alzheimer’s diseases in human beings. The research suggests that chronic oral bacterial infection may be a risk factor for the sporadic form of Alzheimer’s disease.

Oral Health and General Health

Oral affects many basic human functions like speaking and smiling. If our oral health is not good, we may experience low self-confidence. It can further be detrimental to a person’s idea of self-image and their sense of holistic well-being. Our oral cavity, or the entirety of our mouth, involves numerous other parts like gums, tissues, and nerves. They allow us to speak, taste, swallow, sigh, chew, or even cry out in pain or laugh out in joy. It is integral to our body and our overall well-being.

Although unclear, periodontal diseases are also a risk factor for many other problems like the onset of diabetes, issues around pregnancy, and myocardial refraction. This is why oral health is also seen as a source of early detection of other medical issues. For instance, saliva is used to assess hormones, environmental toxins, antibodies, and the effect of certain medications. Thus, the connection between oral health and our general health cannot be ignored. It is necessary to pay attention to your oral health and ensure that your lifestyle involves practices that contribute positively to your oral health and, consequently, your overall well-being.

Conclusion

Oral health is one of the leading indicators of your general health. If your oral health is good, you can prevent malnutrition, diseases such as Alzheimer’s, obesity, pre-diabetes, or other such chronic diseases, as bad oral health is a risk factor for the same. That is why it is very important to get teeth cleaning service from your dentist every once in a while. Most oral health issues, such as tooth decay, ulcers, or other periodontal diseases, are preventable. While genetics also play a role, poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, eating processed foods, and practicing poor oral hygiene are all factors that contribute to oral diseases. Therefore, if you want to be healthy and ensure that your oral health does not cause any illnesses or discomfort in your life, the first step to take would be to practice good oral hygiene and treat any oral health issues that might be adversely affecting your general health.

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