3 Common Dental Conditions Which Affect Children

If you have a small child, you no doubt worry about their dental health. There are some dental problems which are quite common in children. Below is a guide to 4 common dental problems which affect children.

Baby Bottle Decay

This type of decay affects toddlers and infants who are fed using formula milk via a bottle. Formula milk contains high levels of sugar. If you feed your baby just before bed, the surgery milk can collect on the surface of their teeth and lead to accelerated levels of tooth decay. To avoid this problem, you should avoid feeding your baby just before they go to sleep. If your baby is comforted by sucking on their bottle before sleep, you should fill the bottle with warm water as a substitute.

Increased Tooth Sensitivity

If you notice that your child cannot eat an ice-cream without winching or that they avoid hot drinks, they may be experiencing increased tooth sensitivity. The cause of this increased sensitivity could be tooth decay or they may have very thin enamel which causes their nerves to become agitated. If you are concerned that your child is suffering from increased levels of tooth sensitivity, you should book an appointment with your family dentist. They may recommend using a special toothpaste to help reduce the sensitivity of your child's teeth.

Misaligned Teeth Caused by Thumb Sucking or Tongue Thrusting

While thumb sucking is very common among children and can be a source of comfort for them, it could also be damaging their dental health. The pressure created by their thumb as it is placed against their front teeth can cause the teeth to begin to slowly move within the mouth. Another cause of misaligned teeth is tongue thrusting. This is where your child presses their tongue forward and presses it against the back of their top teeth. This will happen at such a slow rate it would be difficult to notice. The first sign of a problem is normally the fact that the front teeth are becoming crooked or that the child is developing an overbite. If you notice these signs, you should book an appointment with a paediatric dentist. They will be able to offer orthodontic treatment to correct the position of your child's teeth.

If you have any concerns about your child's dental health, you should contact a dentist today. They will be able to carry out a full assessment of their dental health before providing any necessary treatment.


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