What Are The Most Common Dental Problems in Children?

Children’s dentistry can be a complicated subject. A lot goes into promoting good oral health in your children. Aside from brushing and flossing, diet and food selection significantly impact dental health.

Aside from general dental health, there may be issues with the eruption of baby teeth and adult teeth, as well as orthodontic issues. That is why parents must understand the most common dental issues that their children may face. Here are five of the most common dental problems encountered by children. They include dental tooth decay, misaligned, gum disease, sensitive teeth, and injury-related accidents.

Is it Normal For 5-year-olds To Have Cavities?

Yes, it is normal for kids to experience cavities. From the information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of children aged 5 to 11 have at least one decayed tooth that has not been treated. Cavities are a common childhood disease, and some children are predisposed to them, but there are ways to avoid them.

Bacteria, foods, acids, and saliva can all cause cavities. For instance, foods containing sugars and starches, such as, soda, candy, cake, milk,  juices, and cereals, become acidic due to bacteria in your child’s mouth. Acids erode tooth enamel and cause cavities. Therefore, cavities can be hazardous to children if left untreated.

Cavities are a risk for all children, but some factors may increase that risk:

• Bacteria levels in your child’s mouth are higher than average.
• Your child’s diet contains excessive carbohydrates, sugars, and starches.
• Drinking water that contains little to no fluoride
• There is little to no oral hygiene.
• Low saliva production

Do Five-Year-Olds Need Fillings?

Cavities (also known as caries) in your child’s primary teeth should be treated just as seriously as cavities in permanent teeth, which means you should seek the help of a dental professional at Lawn Dental Center as soon as possible for diagnosis, treatment, and to avoid other problems.

In short, fillings in your child’s primary teeth are just as common as fillings in permanent teeth. It is critical to care for your child’s primary teeth for a variety of reasons, including:

• Cavities that go untreated can cause discomfort and pain.
• Cavities can cause other dental issues, such as infection.
• Your child’s dental health impacts their other biological systems and overall health.
• Cavities may indicate underlying issues that should be addressed, such as a poor diet or poor dental health care.
• Poor dental health care as a child predicts poor dental health care as an adult.
• Children rely on healthy teeth to perform essential functions such as speaking and eating.

Cavities, fortunately, are preventable and usually treatable with a simple procedure known as a filling. Stay tuned for a more in-depth discussion of the procedure below.

What Are The Major Dental Problems in Children?

Apart from cavities, the other major common dental problems that are treated at a kid’s dentist near you include:

1. Gum Disease

Gum diseases, such as gingivitis, are more common in young adults than in younger children. Gum disease, on the other hand, can affect anyone. If you notice your child’s gumline is frequently red, swollen, or bleeding, this is a sign of early-onset gum disease. Consult a dentist as soon as possible to ensure that this is addressed.

2. Teeth Misalignment

Many complications can arise as your child’s teeth fall out and adult teeth emerge. Tooth misalignment can be inherited or caused by too much thumb or pacifier sucking. Because of how your child bites, misaligned teeth can cause pain, headaches, and jaw problems. To correct misalignment issues, orthodontic treatment or tooth extraction may be required.

3. Teeth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can result from enamel loss. Diet frequently causes enamel damage in children. In addition, sodas and sugary foods wear down the enamel, making teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and more prone to decay. Although there are dental products that can help preserve dental enamel, enamel cannot be replaced. That is why preventative oral health is critical to your child’s dental health.

4. Injury Related Accidents

It is not uncommon for children who play baseball, soccer, basketball, and other sports to sustain dental injuries. Accidents can result in chipped, loosened,  broken, or knocked-out teeth. Generally, loosened and knocked-out teeth are not a big deal if they are baby teeth (or primary teeth) because adult teeth will replace them. However, cracked or otherwise damaged teeth require emergency dental care.