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Blog by Dean Mersky
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Common Oral Health Problems in Children

Common Oral Health Problems in Children

6/25/2016 3:15:57 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 33
As a parent thinking of your child’s health, you’re likely more concerned with issues like chicken pox, the flu, and other common childhood diseases. The last thing on your mind is probably the health of your children’s teeth and mouth. But oral health has been proven through numerous studies to be directly linked to overall body health. According to the Mayo Clinic, oral bacteria and inflammation associated with periodontitis possibly play a role in contracting certain diseases. 

So as a parent, you should focus on the oral health of your children. If you’re not doing so, you’re putting your children at undue risk for other health problems, in addition to common oral health problems seen in children. 

To help inform you about those common oral health issues, so you can take preventative measures to ensure the health of your children, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common oral health issues seen in children. Before starting, it’s important to note that while you may be able to take some preventative measures to ensure your child’s oral health is top-notch, there are situations in which you’ll need the expertise of a pediatric dentist. 

There are multiple ways to find a dentist near you, but one of the best ways to do so is to use the dentist directory at Opt In Dental Advantage. Their directory helps you find dentists in your area, as well as listing ratings for those dentists and providing other patient resources that makes choosing a dentist for your children much easier than it would be by Googling “dentist near me”. 

So, with that said, let’s dive into some common oral health problems seen in children. 

Cavities

This is obviously the most widespread issue seen in children. Cavities in baby teeth may not seem like a big deal, but if left untreated the cavity can actually affect the permanent tooth. 

According to MCHOralHealth.org, approximately 21 percent of children have untreated tooth decay. This can range from cavities to mild gingivitis and even periodontitis, or gum disease. 

Prevention of cavities is relatively easy: start your children on good oral regimens early in life. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your children should see a dentist either when they receive their first tooth or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. Taking your children to the dentist this early in life helps them get over the fear of visiting the dentist, instills in them the importance of routine oral health care, and creates healthy habits they’ll carry with them through the rest of their lives. 

Baby bottle tooth decay

This is obviously a problem seen in younger children who are still breastfeeding or on the bottle. Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a baby’s front teeth experience frequent contact with sugary liquids. Those liquids include fruit juices, milk, formula, sweet drinks, and even human breast milk. The sugars in these liquids will break down and remain in your baby’s mouth, compromising the health of their baby teeth. 

To prevent baby bottle tooth decay, it’s recommended that you substitute plain water at times in your baby’s bottle, never dip their pacifier in honey or other sugary substances, and clean your baby’s teeth after feeding if they’re still eating milk or formula. 

Thumb sucking

Contrary to popular belief, thumb sucking is normal and healthy in babies. Sucking on objects gives children a sense of emotional security and comfort, much like a favorite toy or blanket. However, if thumb sucking continues past the age of five, that’s when your child will see serious issues in regards to oral health. 

Thumb sucking can push adult teeth out of alignment, creating an overbite and the need for orthodontic treatment later in life. That treatment isn’t cheap. If the teeth come out of alignment, it can even affect how your child pronounces certain words, and the upper and lower jaws can become misaligned. These aren’t infectious oral health problems per say, but they are serious health issues that parents need to be aware of. 

Early tooth loss

Losing baby teeth is seen as a rite of passage for many young children, and they look forward to the visit from the tooth fairy. However, losing teeth too early is a problem you need to keep an eye on as a parent. Early tooth loss typically occurs when teeth are decayed, injured, or there’s simply not enough space in your child’s jaw for all of their teeth. 

If teeth are lost before the permanent teeth are ready to come in, nearby teeth can seriously shift or tip, which causes the same issues that thumb sucking does. In addition, early tooth loss can even lead to temporomandibular joint problems – pain and popping in the jaw. 

If your child start losing teeth early, it’s definitely worth visiting a pediatric dentist for help. According to WebMD, pediatric dentists will likely insert a space maintainer to hold open the place left by a missing tooth. Once the permanent teeth begin to erupt, the space maintainer will be removed in order to allow adult teeth to move in. The space maintainer will help keep all your child’s teeth in line. 

Taking care of your child’s health is a challenging process, and it’s easy to overlook what’s going on in their mouths. However, their oral health is deeply rooted in the rest of their bodily health, and this is one of the many reasons you should take an active role in your child’s oral health regimen.
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