It is common for children to suffer from dental problems. In India, nearly 80 percent of kids encounter dental issues and 2 out of 3 have cavities or are prone to developing them. While poor oral habits are amongst the most common reasons, many children suffer from dental issues on account of a diet high in sugar and carbohydrate content. Some other reasons also include thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and dental trauma. However, what is the most common tooth problem in children? There isn’t one but many. So, let’s look at six common teeth problems in kids.
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6 Most Common Teeth Problems in Kids
From tooth decay to orthodontic issues, here are six dental problems in kids.
Tooth Decay
Many children, particularly the younger ones, cannot brush their teeth properly. While that’s one aspect, a sugar-rich diet further contributes to problems like cavities or tooth decay. It results from sticky plaque accumulation on the tooth’s surface. The plaque acid consumes all the enamel, wearing away at the tooth. Regular parent supervision and monitoring can help prevent tooth decay. However, usually, when a cavity develops, it must be covered with a tooth filling. It involves drilling away the decay and filling the hole with a solid composite material.
Oral Emergencies
Dental emergencies can strike at any time. A child falling while riding a bike or playing in the park and injuring their tooth can call for emergency treatment. If the permanent tooth falls out, you must immediately see a pediatric dentist to retrieve the tooth. Put the tooth in a glass of milk, clean water, or saline solution. The dentist may place the permanent tooth back into the socket.
Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is common among children, including infants and toddlers. While it isn’t a problem in the early years, it could become one when the child turns older and still cannot get rid of it. In addition to being embarrassing, prolonged thumb sucking also affects oral development. Chronic thumb sucking causes an open bite, in which the upper front teeth don’t meet the lower front teeth, resulting in a gap even when the child closes the mouth. In addition to biting and chewing problems, an open bite can even affect the child’s speech.
Tooth Sensitivity
Another common tooth problem in children is tooth sensitivity. Some common reasons for making the teeth sensitive include teeth grinding, newly forming permanent teeth, cavities, cracked or missing filling, acid erosion, and orthodontic treatment.
Pediatric Gingivitis
Gum diseases aren’t confined to adults but affect children as well. Gingivitis is the early stage of a gum disease. It often features swollen and red gums, and slight bleeding while brushing or flossing. Gum diseases are common in children with poor dental habits. These feature oral pain, swelling in different areas, and gum recession. Proper dental hygiene is one of the keys to avoiding pediatric gingivitis. However, in some cases, the teeth are so crooked that the child cannot brush properly, eventually suffering from gum diseases.
Orthodontic Problems
Misaligned teeth are another common dental problem in children. Fortunately, you can treat them with various orthodontic treatments. Orthodontic problems usually result from genetics. The child’s jaw shape and size play a role in teeth development. Some commonly observed misalignment issues include under-biting, over-biting, and inappropriate spacing. Orthodontic problems should be addressed with a pediatric dentist. Teeth overcrowding and misalignments can lead to cracked teeth, jaw issues, and dental hygiene problems as well.
Is Your Child Suffering from Dental Problems?
Dental pain and problems can affect your child’s childhood. Why let that happen when you can treat them with a reliable pediatric dentist in Pune? Yes! Healthocity is one of the best dental clinic in Pune with 12+ years of experience treating dental problems in thousands of children. The child-friendly atmosphere and the dentist’s abilities to handle children, along with dental expertise make Healthocity a worthwhile choice to treat your child’s dental issues. Call us at +918956672731 for appointments.