Dental Issues To Watch Out For In Young Children

You may not know when to take your child to the dentist; after all, your child may not have all of their teeth in yet. You should take your child to the dentist after their teeth begin to erupt in their mouth. Even if they only have two teeth, you should begin taking them to a pediatric dentist for a cleaning and routine checkup. If your child is just starting to get teeth, there are a few signs to watch out for that may indicate a dental issue. Read on for helpful information about what to watch out for.

Tooth Sensitivity

Your child's teeth may feel sensitive when eating or drinking anything too hot or too cold. If your child is experiencing this sensitivity, it should be reported to your child's dentist. It could indicate a cavity, or it could indicate an issue with a lack of enamel. The enamel on the teeth may be thinned or wearing away, which can happen from things such as not brushing teeth properly or even from going to sleep with a bottle in the mouth. If your child is wincing or having a hard time with eating or drinking, it may be due to tooth sensitivity. This can sometimes be treated by using a different type of toothpaste, or your child needs to have their teeth cleaned and a fluoride treatment to protect their enamel.

Cavities

Cavities can also occur, even in baby teeth. If your child has a cavity, they may complain about pain when eating or drinking, or your child may be only chewing on one side. If your child has a cavity, even if it's just in a baby tooth, it needs to be taken care of immediately. A cavity in a baby tooth, left untreated, can result in damage to the adult tooth below and future damage as well.

Gum Disease

Your child may also be showing signs of gum disease. This can occur in a younger infant if you aren't doing something to care for your baby's gums. You should be wiping your baby's gums down with a soft washcloth every day, especially before bed and in the morning. Gum disease occurs when bacteria sit on the gums too long and aren't properly brushed or wipe away. Babies should have their gums cleaned, and as your child gets older, your child should be brushing twice daily and brushing the gums in addition to the teeth. Gum disease may present itself with bad breath, or you may see black near the tooth where the gum and tooth meet; your child's gums may also bleed often.

If you see any of these signs in your child, get them to a pediatric dental specialist right away for an exam and for treatment. Don't prolong dental issues, as they can affect your child's oral health as they age.