Kids often have an interesting (and occasionally challenging) relationship with their teeth. It’s important to be proactive and preventative whenever you can. Children’s Dental Center is here to discuss five common dental problems kids experience and how you can manage and prevent them.
1. Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Habits
The majority of young children will suck their thumbs or use pacifiers as comfort mechanisms. While common in early childhood, thumb-sucking or pacifier use that extends further than this stage can lead to serious dental problems, including misalignment and bite issues, since bones are more malleable in young children.
How to prevent these issues:
- Encourage Timely Transition: Help your child stop thumb-sucking or using a pacifier by age three.
- Positive Reinforcement: Offer praise and rewards when your child avoids the habit.
- Discuss with a Dentist: Your child’s regular dental visits allow us to identify early signs of problems and provide personalized recommendations. Our aim is to avoid the need for orthodontic interference when possible.
2. Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Persistent bad breath often indicates underlying dental issues, including poor oral hygiene, cavities, or even infections. We might opt for fillings or crowns for certain cavities.
How to prevent bad breath:
- Good Oral Hygiene: Try to observe while your child brushes thoroughly twice daily and flosses regularly.
- Tongue Cleaning: Teach your child to gently brush their tongue to remove bacteria that cause odors, in addition to their teeth.
- Hydration: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water to reduce bacteria growth and dry mouth.
- Regular Dental Visits: Professional cleanings and checkups will catch underlying problems early, keeping breath fresh and teeth healthy.
3. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth grinding (bruxism) often occurs during sleep or periods of stress, causing tooth wear, sensitivity, and jaw discomfort.
How to prevent tooth wear from grinding:
- Stress Management: Help your child manage stress through relaxing activities and establish a calming bedtime routine.
- Professional Advice: Schedule regular dental visits, where our team can recommend protective measures, like mouthguards, if necessary.
- Monitor Habits: Be aware of signs such as grinding sounds at night or jaw pain in the morning, and discuss these concerns with your dentist promptly.
4. Mouth Breathing
Chronic mouth breathing, particularly during sleep, can lead to orthodontic issues, dry mouth, and increased cavity risk.
How to address mouth breathing:
- Observe Your Child’s Breathing Patterns: Monitor for persistent mouth breathing during sleep and inform your dentist.
- Seek Medical Advice: Sometimes, mouth breathing indicates underlying allergies or ENT issues; consultation with your pediatrician may be necessary.
- Regular Dental Visits: Your dentist can identify signs of mouth breathing and advise on orthodontic or other interventions to support healthy oral development.
5. Tooth Eruption Issues
Delayed eruption or irregularities in tooth eruption can affect the development of permanent teeth.
How to ensure healthy tooth eruption:
- Monitor Tooth Development: Regular dental check-ups allow our dentists to track your child’s dental progress closely.
- Proper Nutrition: Ensure a diet rich in calcium and vitamins to support healthy tooth development.
- Early Intervention: Identify any unusual eruption patterns during infancy and toddlerhood to intervene promptly, minimizing complications later.
Other Preventative Tips
We want to round off this blog by providing you with some additional preventive advice for your child’s dental care. Dr. Rowland, Dr. Selecman, Dr. Daniel, Dr. Greene, or Dr. Church will be amazing resources for your family’s individual needs as they grow up in our care.
1. Preventing Bottle Decay
- Avoid bedtime bottles with milk, juice, or formula, as sugars linger overnight, significantly increasing cavity risk.
- Encourage using cups around 12 months of age to protect teeth from prolonged exposure to sugars.
2. Lead by Example
- Children constantly mimic parental habits, so be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly with your child, promoting positive lifelong habits. Performing your dental routine as a family can be very helpful for instilling proper practices.
3. Dental Sealants
- Consider dental sealants from Children’s Dental Center, a safe, protective coating applied to your child’s molars, preventing cavities by sealing off crevices where decay commonly begins.
4. Utilize Fluoride for Strong, Healthy Teeth
- Regular use of fluoride toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel, reducing cavity risk.
- Ask your dentist if supplemental fluoride treatments or fluoride varnishes are recommended, especially if your child’s cavity risk is higher.
- You can also consider fluoride mouth rinses (for kids age 6 and older) to provide additional cavity protection.
A Brilliant Beginning
Our team at Children’s Dental Center fully understands that it can take trial and error to establish healthy dental habits in your kids here in Arlington, Collierville, and Midtown—but we’re here to assist you through the process!