Keep An Eye Out For These Early Childhood Dental Problems
If you are a new parent, you may be wondering what dental problems could affect your child during their early childhood. In this blog from Miles of Little Smiles, we’ll discuss a few common issues that may face your little one, and provide you with advice on how to deal with these problems. Let’s get started.
1. Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the single most common preventable chronic childhood disease in America, and most kids will get at least one cavity in their baby teeth or adult teeth as they grow up. There are lots of ways that you can reduce your little one’s likelihood of decay, such as:
- Reducing their sugar intake and maintaining a healthy diet
- Brushing and flossing regularly
- Introducing mouthwash when appropriate
- Seeing a dentist like Dr. Mila Belgrade every six months for routine teeth cleanings
2. “Baby Bottle Syndrome”
This is a more severe form of tooth decay, which usually occurs when you put your child to bed with a bottle of breastmilk, formula, or juice. The liquid from the bottle pools in their mouth as they sleep, and bacteria feed on the sugar in the liquid, causing severe and extensive tooth decay in the front teeth.
You absolutely never should put your child to bed with a bottle that contains anything except water. If you give them a bottle with milk, formula, or juice before bed, you are putting their oral health at risk. If your child falls asleep while feeding, you should remove their bottle as soon as you notice that they are no longer sucking.
3. Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking and pacifier use can help young kids deal with anxiety. However, if this continues once the child’s permanent teeth start to erupt, it can cause serious oral development issues like an “open bite,” where the front teeth do not meet properly when your child’s mouth is closed.
Prolonged thumb sucking can also lead to “tongue thrusting,” an improper swallowing pattern that can lead to further oral development issues.
4. Gingivitis/Gum Disease
While it’s more rare in children than it is in adults, gingivitis and gum disease can occur in kids of any age if their mouths are not being cleaned properly. This condition happens when bacteria-filled plaque and tartar build up between the teeth and the gums, and the bacteria begins to attack the gum tissue.
Proper oral hygiene is essential for preventing gingivitis and gum disease in kids. Make sure you are brushing and flossing their teeth regularly, and see a dentist like Dr. Dikla Chazbani for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months.
5. Dental Trauma
Kids may hurt their mouths when roughhousing with siblings, riding bikes, playing sports, playing on a playground, and in dozens of other situations. This can result in chips in the teeth, broken or cracked teeth, loose, or even knocked-out teeth.
If your little one hurts their mouth while playing, get help from Dr. Mila Belgrade right away. You can contact us at (914) 949-6655 to schedule an emergency consultation for your little one. We’ll see them as soon as possible.
Need Help? Contact Miles Of Little Smiles For An Appointment Today!
If you have questions or want more information about caring for your child’s mouth in Westchester, Dr. Belgrade and Dr. Chazbani are here to help. Contact Miles of Little Smiles online or give us a call at (914) 949-6655 to schedule a preventive checkup for your child, and make sure you avoid these common early childhood dental problems.