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Children's Dentistry: Common Conditions to Be Wary Of

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Since children are not adept at taking thorough care of their teeth, they are more susceptible to dental problems. Try as you might as a parent to instil good oral care habits, you will find that some of these conditions are simply unavoidable. Luckily, being aware of the various conditions that your child may be susceptible to developing makes it easier for you to try to prevent them from starting in the first place. Moreover, knowing what to expect also ensures that your child sees a paediatric dentist before permanent damage occurs to their teeth. Here is an outline of some of the common dental conditions to be wary of in children.

Tooth decay

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most common oral conditions that your child would be at risk of developing. There are several reasons why your child may develop tooth decay. This could be due to bacterial exposure, dietary reasons or simply poor oral hygiene. If tooth decay is not caught early on, it could lead to tooth loss. One of the first symptoms of tooth decay is if your child starts to complain of a toothache. Your child may also develop bad breath, which would be caused by the bacteria in their mouth. It would be prudent to see a paediatric dentist so that this decay is eliminated as soon as possible. You may also want to consider routine plaque removal for your child to reduce the risk of tooth decay reoccurring.

Tooth sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is one of the dental problems that is expected in adults due to the gradual wearing of their teeth. However, it can also afflict children due to a number of reasons. For instance, tooth sensitivity may come about if your child has developed tooth decay. As such, the nerves in their tooth will be exposed to changing temperatures when they eat, leading to oral pain. Another reason why you child may develop tooth sensitivity is if they suffer from bruxism. This is the grinding of their teeth as they sleep, leading to the premature wearing of the enamel. It would be advisable to visit a paediatric dentist to establish the cause of the tooth sensitivity and remedy it before it becomes worse.

Gum disease

If your child is not observing through oral cleaning, a film of plaque starts to coat their teeth. This plaque will lead to the breeding of bacteria in their mouth. Left unchecked, the gums will start to show signs of swelling and sensitivity. If not addressed, this can rapidly escalate to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.


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