Dental health is important for kids as it is for adults. Truth be told, a lot depends on a person’s smile. Talk about personality and confidence, and you wouldn’t want your children to start loosing in the game early in their lives.
If you want them to grow up with shiny, healthy teeth, then, you should make it a priority to take care of their dental health as well as educate them on how to do it by themselves.
Below are some of the common pediatric dental issues and how to prevent them:
Tooth Decay: This is probably the most common dental issue among kids. Caused by excessive consumption of starch and sugar, and poor oral hygiene, tooth decay occurs when food deposits bond with bacteria to form plaque and tartar. If not treated, this can lead to the weakening of the structures surrounding the tooth. The good thing is that tooth decay in kids can be prevented by ensuring that the practice standard oral hygiene. You should also create time to take your kids to a pediatric dental clinic on a regular basis. In addition, you can moderate the amount of starch and sugary foods consumed by your kids.
Periodontal Disease: Swollen and bleeding gum also known as gingivitis is also a common dental problem among children. If not treated at the early stages, this can advance to a more severe or even complicated dental problem that may require surgery to correct. You should watch your kids closely when they are brushing their teeth and tackle any bleeding gum issue with seriousness. Periodontal disease can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting a dental clinic regularly
Halitosis: Commonly known as bad breath, halitosis is caused by plaque and bacteria buildup in the mouth. This can be prevented by regular brushing and flossing.
Canker Sores: This common among both adult and children. These are the small sores that often recur inside the mouth, lasting between one to two weeks. To reduce the duration when it occurs, use antimicrobial mouthwashes.
Thumb sucking: This isn’t a dental problem in itself but can lead to several. Thumb sucking is quite common among children and can be considered normal for kids below the age of 5. Above this age, the habit is considered abnormal and can lead to misalignment of the teeth during formation. Thumb sucking in kids can also lead to speech problems due to the misalignment of the kid’s jaws (upper and lower jaw). Like most habits, thumb sucking can be difficult to break but offering positive reinforcement may be a good technique to help him or her break the habit.
Dental education and proper oral hygiene are very important in ensuring that your kids grow up with the smile that they deserve. It is equally important that you maintain a regular appointment with a pediatric dentist. And if you are looking for one, American Dental Clinic is the best in pediatric dentistry in the UAE.
