Children’s oral health is different in so many aspects from dental healthcare for adults. A child’s denture is still developing and has particular needs, although those tend to be less complex than what we find in adult dentistry.
It is paramount for a child to understand and incorporate hygiene habits into their everyday routine. These habits should start as early as your kid develops their first teeth. As they grow older, you should teach them to wash their teeth and mouth at least twice a day, especially before bedtime.
It is as simple as that for at least the first three years of your kid’s life. Of course, if you see any abnormalities or have doubts, you can check with a pediatric dentist to make sure everything is perfect.
Once your child has turned three years old, they can start paying annual visits to the dental office. In the same way, you take your son or daughter to a pediatric doctor for their general check-up, your kid’s teeth must be under the care of a pediatric dentist. Kids need specialized treatment not only to feel comfortable in a hard environment as a dental practice can be, but their mouths and tiny teeth also need specific tools.
How Your Aurora Pediatric Dentist Can Help
Dr. Patterson has dedicated his professional life as a pediatric dentist to understanding and treating the dental requirements of children. His efforts have been certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is focused on preparing for emergencies and queries since he is a father.
Dr. Patterson is a doctor with a focus on the prevention of a child’s dental problems since this is the best way to create a healthy relationship with dental care. It is still very common to see adults that have an aversion to visiting their dentist, and that’s we know it can be difficult to imagine a child comfortable with the idea.
But it is possible if the relationship is properly nourished from the beginning. Paying attention to your kid’s mouth is very important in this early stage to change the way dentistry is viewed and prevent health issues such as pericoronitis, Turner’s Teeth, hyperdontia as well as hypodontia, fluorosis, and more.
Let’s address some of this common dental health problems kids can experience so you can be prepared to deal with them in the best way.
Pericoronitis
Pericoronitis is a common issue related to the erupting of wisdom teeth. Most people don’t even know this can be a thing.
When wisdom teeth or third molars come through, they can take longer to do so than normal teeth; this can cause the creation of hanging tissue around the molar. The problem with this is that food can get stuck under this extra tissue and difficult the cleaning process.
This can easily lead to infections, caries or tooth decay, and bad breath if not attended to.
Turner’s Teeth
Enamel Hypoplasia, or Turner’s Teeth as people know it, is a condition that affects a tooth’s enamel. What is tooth enamel? It’s the name of the last layer covering the teeth. It is the protection armor your denture uses to prevent tooth decay and similar problems.
When this armor is hurt or fragile, so are your kid’s teeth. This means exposure to damage such as cavities, infections, pain, and unhealthy appearance. Your kid can even lose a tooth due to enamel hypoplasia.
This is a problem that can be hard to diagnose, and the best way to keep it under control is to pay regular visits to your pediatric dental office. Treatments for this condition are very smooth if detected early.
Experts have found there are two causes for this problem:
- Inherited genetic defect: meaning the gene for Turner’s Teeth runs in your family.
- Environmental conditions: this is a wide category that includes malnutrition, trauma on baby teeth, previous infections, etc.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a term that includes a range of diseases related to pain, irritation, and bacterial infections of the gums and soft tissues. A gum disease. This can be a very serious problem leading to tooth loss when not addressed.
The causes can vary, but the most common cause is the lack of hygiene because periodontal diseases are the accumulation of bacteria on the gums. This a dental disease more common in adults than it is in children, but you should keep an eye open for your kid’s help too.
Visiting a dentist’s office is mandatory, of course, but you can check for signs such as:
Gingivitis
This is the first stage of periodontal disease, and it presents in the form of inflamed, red gums that bleed while brushing and sensitive teeth.
Periodontitis
This is the more serious level of periodontal health issues. It can manifest as bleeding gums as well, but also as receding gum and exposed teeth, changes in your bite, or loose teeth.
Hyperdontia
Hyperdontia is a genetic condition related to several causes. This is what dental experts call the excess of teeth. You may know someone whose got extra teeth. The extra teeth can grow visibly but often around the dental arch, the internal part of your mouth.
People can have extra baby teeth and extra permanent teeth, which are more common since hyperdontia is usually seen in adults.
Unlike others, this oral health issue is not painful, and the treatments consist of extractions. However, hyperdontia can cause crowded teeth and help tooth decay.
Fluorosis
This condition affects the appearance of permanent teeth by visibly changing the color of your child’s teeth. It can present as a mild change from the normal bone color of the teeth to more of a brown tone. In some cases, this can only be detected by dentists.
The cause for this issue is related to an exaggerated exposure to fluoride during the formation process of permanent teeth; this is during your child’s first six to eight years of life.
Contact Our Team
Dr. Patterson has wide experience with all of these dental healthcare procedures and pediatric dental health issues, as well as with regular check-ups. You can set an appointment and start taking care of your child’s dentures.
