The best way to care for children’s teeth is to catch dental problems early so you can prevent the conditions from worsening and from the need to have more serious dental procedures. However, the dental conditions that are found in children vary from the common issues that adults. You should be aware of the symptoms of these and how to prevent them in order to care for your children’s teeth and maintain their good health. 

1.   Baby Bottle Tooth Decay  

Although many adults consider tooth decay as only applicable to older children, nearly a quarter of kids are starting school with tooth decay. One of the main concerns when it comes to tooth decay in babies is baby bottle decay. This occurs when babies are allowed to drink from their bottle for sustained periods of time; you should never allow your baby to fall asleep with the bottle, as this leaves their teeth vulnerable to sugar for a long period of time. To prevent this, you should decrease the number of sugary drinks that you give children, and dilute any sugary drinks with water. You should also rub their gums with a wet cloth on a daily basis.

2.   Sensitivity

Exposed nerves and weakened enamel can lead to sensitive teeth when drinking or eating. Although sensitivity could be due to tooth decay, it can be caused by damage to the teeth. However, in children, sensitivity is likely to be caused by brushing incorrectly, such as brushing too hard, which can damage the tooth. Sensitivity is also common when new teeth grow through the surface of the gum. If your child is experiencing sensitivity or any other problems with their teeth, you should take them to your local dentist in Turlock, or your kids dentist in Los Angeles, for example, who can check their teeth for issues and have the right equipment to solve these. You can see the type of equipment that is available at dental practices through websites for dental supply companies, such as Kent Express, which offers a range of small and large professional equipment.

3.   Bad Breath

If your child does not brush their teeth properly, this can lead to bad breath from food bacteria being left on the teeth. To prevent this, you should check that they are brushing correctly and supervise their brushing technique until they are 8 years old. If bad breath is still an issue, this could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

4.   Orthodontics

Changes in children’s teeth, such as new teeth growing, can lead to structural issues like a lack of space in the mouth or crooked teeth. If any of these issues are a problem, you should make an appointment with an orthodontist, who may offer braces. Braces are normally applied for one or two years and can help to correct the teeth’s positions when used alongside a retainer after the procedure.

5.   Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a common habit in children but can lead to other problems with their teeth, such as misalignment and damage to the roof of the mouth. If this is becoming an issue for your children, you need to establish simple ways to break the habit.

6.   Sports Injury

Children tend to play more sports than adults, and they are also more prone to injury. If your child plays sports, there is a higher likelihood of them damaging their teeth through cracks, tooth loss, and chips. Children who play sports regularly should have a mouth guard to protect their teeth from harm.