Common Pediatric Dental Issues and Their Treatments

Children are prone to dental problems primarily due to their food habits. It is important to address the oral problems at the earliest to avoid chances of tooth loss. The most common dental issues amongst children have been provided below. 

• Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay is a common pediatric dental issue in low socioeconomic groups. In communities where most parents do not brush and floss their children’s teeth, they often rely on baby bottle tooth decay as their primary source of preventive care.

• Baby Bottle Mouth

Baby bottle mouth, also referred to as early childhood caries, can begin when a child’s teeth become visible, usually around six months of age. This condition is caused by sugar in the baby’s bottle or breastmilk, which generally affects the upper front teeth.

Baby bottle mouth can be prevented by not allowing a child to sleep with a bottle and putting only water in the bottle.

• Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a common habit among children. The habit usually starts when a baby’s teeth erupt but can continue well into adulthood.

Thumb sucking can affect a child’s teeth and overall oral health. It can cause an overbite or crossbite, which may require braces to correct. It can also place pressure on the teeth, leading to a weakened tooth root or dental issues.

• Nursing Decay

Nursing decay occurs in the upper back teeth or molars. The pediatric dentist may recommend fluoride treatments to strengthen the enamel and additional dental sealants to protect the molars. The pediatric dental team may also recommend a diet of healthy foods low in sugar.

• Baby Teeth Extraction

The first primary teeth usually erupt when a baby is between 6 and 12 months old. Typically, a child will have a full set of primary teeth before three. Due to several reasons, a child may need an extraction to alleviate dental pain. 

• Tooth Trauma

Teeth can be chipped, fractured, loosened, or even knocked out during an accident. If a child experiences any of these injuries, they should visit a dentist as soon as possible.

If a tooth is knocked out of the child’s mouth, it should be rinsed off. Then, it is best to place the tooth back in the socket and bite down on gauze to keep it in place. The dentist will then determine if the tooth can be replaced. This is a common pediatric dental issue.

To know more, call us at (907) 336-1234 and schedule an appointment with the dentist.