Most Common Oral Health Problems in Growing Children
If you thought that oral health problems are only for adults, then think again. The first teeth start appearing by 4 to 5 months of age. Then by the age of 3, kids have a full set of teeth. This is the time when parents have to be extremely careful about oral hygiene.
By the age of 6-7, the primary teeth start to fall out to make space for the permanent teeth. These permanent teeth are the ones that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. However, there are certain oral problems such as tooth decay, lip sucking, and early teeth loss.
Let’s take a look at these common oral health problems.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
This is a tooth decay condition found in babies when their teeth come in constant contact with sugars from fruit juices, milk, sugar water, and other sweet drinks. These lead to the formation of bacteria in their mouth which can cause tooth decay.
The baby teeth help in guided development of permanent teeth. However, tooth decay or other problems can affect the growth of permanent teeth, resulting in crowded growth or crooked teeth. It is necessary to ensure that the amount of sugar you give to a baby is limited to let proper teeth grow.
Thumb Sucking
It is normal for a baby to suck on their thumb, finger, or pacifiers. It helps them get a sense of comfort and emotional security. But it can be a problem if the habit persists beyond the age of 5. The intensity and duration of thumb sucking can force the teeth out of alignment causing dental problems.
Continuous sucking can lead to overbite which in future can affect their speech and pronunciation of certain words. Along with this, the upper and lower jaw can lose their alignment.
Tongue Thrusting and Lip Sucking
Tongue thrusting exerts pressure on the front teeth, applying pressure on them thus pushing them outward and out of alignment. This is another way in which a child can misalign their jaw and cause overbite. It can affect their speech. You will need to consult a pathologist to cure this.
Lip Sucking is another problematic habit that a child can develop on their own. The continuous sucking of the lower lip can affect the teeth causing an overbite. The best way to deal with this is to consult a pediatrician and let them guide you properly to prepare a plan.
Early Tooth Loss
In some cases, a child can lose their early teeth due to injury, crowding, or tooth decay. If the early teeth are lost, the permanent teeth might shift from their place. These misaligned teeth can cause problems from causing trouble in chewing to joint problems.
In case your child is losing teeth early, you might want to get them checked by a dentist. Your dentist might suggest a space maintainer which helps in leaving space for the permanent teeth open. Your child’s pediatrician might suggest some diet changes to prevent the loss.
Grinding
Babies and toddlers develop the habit of clenching and grinding their jaws because of the discomfort of growing teeth. While some children stop this habit of grinding once the teethfully emerge, some continue this from habit. This can result in tooth decay and sensitive teeth.
Conclusion
Your child might think that going to a dentist is a scary experience, but you can make it fun was well. Schedule regular visits with your dentist and avoid these problems. Visit Park Dental Care Brooklyn and our pediatric dentistry experts can help your child get healthy teeth and a glowing smile.
