Children's Dentistry: 3 Common Problems Paediatric Dentists Handle Every Day
Posted on: 22 November 2017
Proper dental care is a practice that should be inculcated at an early age. Taking your child to see a paediatric dentist on a regular basis goes a long way in ensuring they maintain proper oral health, and it also helps them steer clear of dental problems, which may become more severe over time if left unattended.
Here's a rundown of some common issues that children's dentistry professionals deal with every day:
Thumb-sucking
Thumb-sucking is a natural habit that some children develop even when they're still in their mother's womb. Although it does not cause discomfort or irritation, it may result in some dental complications. Thumb sucking can cause the lower teeth to move backwards while causing the upper teeth to move forward, hence causing a child to have misaligned teeth. This problem can result in an overbite, which occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower ones. Affected children may need to start wearing braces to treat the problem. Depending on your child's situation, a paediatric dentist can suggest ways to help you stop your child's thumb-sucking habit before it gets out of hand.
Teeth eruption
For the most part, teething is a period of irritation and discomfort for a majority of toddlers. They are likely to experience a bit of fever, swollen gums and excessive drooling, and the gums and cheek region may begin to look red. If the discomfort becomes severe, it is advisable to seek remedies. A paediatric dentist will know what to give your child so as to minimise any irritation or discomfort during teeth eruption. Fortunately, the irritation and discomfort is likely to cease after the teeth have sprouted.
Tooth decay
Tooth decay is common among children because they tend to consume sugary foods a lot. Sadly, some parents do not take the problem seriously until their child starts complaining of severe toothache. If neglected, tooth decay is not only a likely cause of pain and discomfort, but it may also be detrimental to the health of a child's permanent teeth. A paediatric dentist may advise you on what foods your child should avoid in order to minimise the risk of tooth decay. And, if tooth decay attacks your child's teeth, the dentist can treat it to prevent further damage to your child's teeth.
Making routine visits to the paediatric dentist is vital to ensuring your child grows with strong and healthy teeth. So, find a paediatric dentist for your child today if they don't already have one.
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