Common Dental Problems

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a common concern for children, caused by various factors such as oral bacteria, postnasal drip, food debris between teeth, gingivitis, and even breathing patterns. To combat this issue and ensure your child maintains fresh breath and good oral health, here are some key preventive measures to consider:

1. Tongue Cleaning

The back of the tongue is a hotspot for bacteria and food debris accumulation. Encourage gentle cleaning of the tongue’s surface with a soft-bristled brush or a tongue scraper to reduce odor-causing bacteria.

2. Tooth Brushing and Flossing

Regular brushing and flossing are essential to remove food particles and bacteria between teeth. The American Dental Association recommends flossing in combination with brushing to prevent halitosis and gum disease.

3. Nose Breathing

Encourage your child to breathe through their nose rather than their mouth. Nose breathing helps maintain a moist environment in the mouth, promoting saliva flow that naturally combats oral bacteria.

4. Hydration

Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day. Adequate hydration stimulates saliva production, which helps cleanse the mouth and reduce bacterial growth.

5. Healthy Habits

Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast can stimulate saliva flow and reduce oral bacteria. Additionally, chewing sugar-free gum can help increase saliva production.

6. Professional Care

Regular dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining good oral health in children. Professional cleanings can remove plaque, tartar, and address any underlying issues contributing to bad breath.

By incorporating these preventive measures into your child’s daily routine, you can help them maintain fresh breath and optimal oral hygiene. Remember, good oral habits established early on can lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Gingivitis, commonly known as gum disease, is not just a problem for adults—children are also at risk. This inflammatory condition can lead to swollen, tender gums that may bleed during brushing or flossing.

Symptoms of Gingivitis in Children

Be on the lookout for these signs in your child:

• Red, swollen gums
• Bleeding during oral hygiene routines
• Persistent gum soreness
• Sensitivity to temperature changes in food and drinks
• Chronic bad breath
• Formation of pockets between teeth and gums

Causes of Pediatric Gingivitis

The primary culprit behind gingivitis is plaque—a sticky film of bacteria that accumulates on the teeth. If not removed through regular brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar, further irritating the gums. Other factors contributing to gingivitis in children include:

• Poor nutrition, particularly vitamin C deficiency
• Teeth grinding
• Underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Side effects of certain medications
• Mouth breathing, leading to dry gums

Effects of Untreated Gingivitis

If left unchecked, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease. This can result in tooth loss, bone damage, and may contribute to other health issues later in life.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing gingivitis is largely about maintaining good oral hygiene:

• Begin oral care early, wiping baby’s teeth with a soft cloth or using a small, soft-bristled brush.
• Assist children with brushing until they have the dexterity to do it effectively, usually around age six.
• Opt for soft-bristled toothbrushes and replace them every three months.
• Use fluoride toothpaste to help prevent gingivitis.
• Ensure your child brushes twice daily for two minutes and flosses once a day.
• Encourage brushing after consuming sugary or starchy foods.
• Consider antimicrobial mouthwashes to reduce plaque and inflammation.
• Promote a balanced diet for overall and dental health.

Professional Care for Pediatric Gingivitis

At KidsDentistry, we provide thorough cleanings to remove plaque and tartar. For advanced cases, we may perform scaling and root planing to eliminate bacteria and smooth root surfaces. Our team also educates families on effective plaque removal and tooth cleaning techniques.

Remember, early diagnosis is key to successful treatment. Regular visits to a pediatric dentist are essential in preventing and managing gingivitis. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your child maintains a healthy, happy smile for years to come.

Dental treatments often requires the use of local anesthetic aka “freezing” to ensure your child’s comfortable care. However, the feeling of local anesthetic is often strange and disturbing to kids, and they will bite their lip or cheek as they try to explore this new sensation, or lack thereof. During this period of numbness, it’s crucial to keep a watchful eye on them to prevent any accidental biting, chewing, or scratching of these temporarily numbed areas.

To avoid complications, it’s wise to delay reintroducing solid foods until the numbness completely subsides. Opt for soft snacks that are gentle on the mouth, such as Jell-o, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, or smoothies. Preferably, feed these snacks with a spoon rather than a straw to minimize any sucking actions that might aggravate the numb areas.

We find the use of pop-sickles to be very helpful in making the numbness more comfortable to tolerate and in distracting kids from chewing on their lips and cheeks.

In the event your child accidentally bites their cheek, tongue, or lip, swelling may occur and can increase over the next few days, a scenario more common in children under six. A soft scab may develop, appearing as a yellowish-white plaque or resembling a large ulcer. This formation is a natural aspect of the healing journey inside the mouth, with the lesion typically resolving within 7-10 days.

In extreme cases, it is possible for children to chew their lip to the point of leaving a scar, although this is exceptionally rare.

Maintaining cleanliness is important. Encourage your child to brush their teeth as they normally would, taking extra care around the sensitive area. For management of discomfort, children’s Tylenol or Advil can be used.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a smoother recovery for your child post-dental treatment, minimizing discomfort and preventing the common yet troublesome issue of lip biting.

Have you ever heard your child exclaim with a mix of surprise and excitement, “I have two rows of teeth!”? While it might sound alarming at first, this phenomenon, commonly referred to as “shark teeth,” is a normal part of the dental development process in children. It occurs when the permanent teeth start to come in before the baby teeth have fallen out, leading to a temporary double row of teeth.

Shark teeth most often appear in children between the ages of 5 and 7, a period marked by significant dental milestones as they begin to lose their primary teeth to make way for their adult ones. The most common site for shark teeth is the lower front teeth, although it can occur with any teeth.

Why Does It Happen?

The underlying cause of shark teeth is relatively straightforward. Permanent teeth typically emerge by dissolving the root of the baby teeth, which leads to their eventual shedding. However, if the timing is slightly off, or if the new tooth doesn’t align perfectly with the old tooth’s root, the baby tooth may linger while the permanent tooth makes its debut behind it.

Is Treatment Necessary?

In many cases, the presence of shark teeth is a temporary situation that resolves on its own. As the permanent teeth continue to emerge, they often push the remaining baby teeth out of the way, leading to their natural fall. However, if the baby teeth remain stubbornly in place, it’s a good idea to consult with a pediatric dentist. They can assess whether intervention, such as the removal of the baby teeth, is necessary to allow the proper alignment and spacing for the permanent teeth.

Tips for Parents

• Monitor the situation: Keep an eye on your child’s shark teeth to see if the baby teeth are becoming loose or if there are any signs of discomfort.
• Encourage healthy dental habits: Regular brushing and flossing can help maintain the health of both sets of teeth during this transitional phase.
• Consult a dentist if necessary: If the baby teeth don’t seem to be budging or if there’s any concern about misalignment, a dental professional can provide guidance and potential treatment options.

The appearance of a double row of teeth in your child’s mouth is indeed an unusual sight but rarely a cause for concern. With a bit of patience and proper dental care, this quirky phase will soon give way to a healthy, adult smile.