Dental problems are one of the worst things that can happen to a child. On the one hand, they’re treatable and usually not too serious. However, on the other hand, untreated dental problems can sometimes be fatal or cause long-lasting damage leading to permanent complications. It is therefore essential that parents should be vigilant in ensuring their children’s oral health by seeking the services of pediatric dentistry in Fullerton if required.
Let us now see the most common dental problems among children in Fullerton.
- Tooth decay
Tooth decay is a common problem in children. It results from consuming too much processed and sugary food and poor oral hygiene. If left untreated, it can lead to the loss of the tooth eventually. However, with proper treatment, it is easy to reverse tooth decay and the child will be able to get back their pearly whites.
- Tooth sensitivity
Another problem among children is tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. This can be due to a number of reasons including, but not limited to, the buildup of plaque on the teeth, psychological stress, or even grinding of the teeth during sleep. The treatment for tooth sensitivity is usually simple and involves using special toothpaste that relieves sensitivity.
- Dental emergencies
While tooth decay and sensitivity are conditions that can be easily avoided, dental emergencies cannot. Treatment for a dental emergency involves a visit to the dentist immediately after you notice any of these symptoms. If not treated properly, they can lead to serious complications like infection or even death in some cases.
The most common dental emergencies include the following:
- Injury to the teeth or mouth
- Toothache
- Broken or knocked-out tooth
- Pus in the mouth
- Pediatric gum disease
If not prevented, dental gum disease is one of the worst conditions that a child can have. This condition comes about as a result of eating too much sugary and processed food. It also results in plaque buildup that causes inflammation of the gums and eventually infection. Preventative measures such as following a good diet and good oral hygiene are therefore crucial to solving pediatric gum disease.
- Excessive thumb sucking
The habit of excessive thumb-sucking is common among children. However, it should be discouraged since it can lead to problems such as dental misalignment and even fractured teeth due to extreme force exerted in sucking.
- Orthodontic problems
As the child grows, they will require orthodontic treatment if they have dental alignment issues. A crooked smile can be attributed to this, and it may lead to social embarrassment if the teeth are not straightened with braces.