Preparing for Children’s Dental Woes: What Should You Expect?

No parent ever wants to see their child in pain, but some of it is an inevitability, irrespective of how careful you are. Nonetheless, most of the common instances can be managed or minimised with proper attention and timely care. As toothache is something that almost every child in the world has to face to some degree, here’s a list of a few painful dental issues that every mum should be aware of and preparing for in advance.

Tooth Decay

Brought on by a nasty combination of bacterial plaque and sugary, starchy acids, tooth decay can be identified by the following symptoms children, but there might be others as well:

Plaque build-up - Heavy plaque build-up is a sign of early tooth decay, as well as being the main cause behind it. The sticky nature of the plaque holds the acids from foods such as rice, pasta, lollies, soda, etc., which slowly rots away the enamel.

Toothache - Constant and gradually increasing toothache is a sign that more and more enamel is being lost, exposing the nerves more, and leading to extreme pain and sensitive teeth.

Halitosis – Bad breath on account of the bacterial build-up and tooth rot is quite common but it can be a sign of gum disease as well, depending on how severe or bad the smell is.

Gingivitis

Commonly known as gum disease, gingivitis can take many forms in children and adults. Unfortunately, some of them are pretty serious. Consider gingivitis to be a worse version of tooth decay that has progressed far enough to reach the gums. In extreme situations, gingivitis can even reach bone, which would mean that the disease has then progressed enough to be reclassified as aggressive periodontitis. Even normal, chronic gingivitis typically causes swelling, reddening, and bleeding from the gums, as well as pain.

Advanced Gingivitis or Periodontitis

Characterised by tooth decay, bad breath, toothache, bleeding, swollen and painful gums, as well as a particularly bad taste in mouth, there are two forms of periodontitis seen in children.

Aggressive periodontitis in teenagers - The alveolar bone, aka, the tissue which holds each tooth in its place (along with a few others) is lost at this stage. Symptoms are more or less the same as mentioned, but with more intensity.

Generalised aggressive periodontitis in post-pubescent children – In addition to everything already mentioned, generalised aggressive periodontitis will also leave calculus and plaque frequently in the patient’s mouth. However, since this is the version of the disease which affects the entire set of teeth and gum, multiple areas will be affected at once.

If you notice any of the common symptoms we just discussed, pay a visit to your dentist. If you don’t already have one, check out Dentessential - www.dentessential.com.au is a dentist in Richmond, NSW, Australia, well known for providing all-in-one, comprehensive dental services to the whole family, including children. If your child has gingivitis or even advanced periodontitis, it will be managed and cured with the care that every child deserves.

Common as they are, dental complications are seldom a reason for worry in children, as long as proper steps are taken after consulting with the Dentist in San Francisco before things get too bad. Just make sure you act in time, as the pain should be minimal and you will see semi-toothless grins in no time!