Dental Issues Specific to Children and Teens

Your baby’s teeth have grown in, and you want to keep their smile as bright as their future. Here are some common issues that teens and children can experience if proper dental care is not practiced regularly. Mona Dental for Kids in Spring, Texas, advises parents to look out for these oral problems, which indicates that dental therapeutic services are needed for your child.

Cavities or tooth decay

Roughly one out of five children between 5 and 11 have an untreated decayed tooth. And approximately one out of seven adolescents between 12 and 19 years of age have a decayed tooth as well. Children often deal with tooth decay for a variety of reasons. Flossing and brushing without adult supervision can be a challenge for many children. Usually, foods and candies marketed to children are laden with sugar. The buildup of plaque on the surface of the teeth eats away at tooth enamel and eventually the remaining tooth. To help mitigate cavity issues, demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques, and supervise while brushing on their own. Simple tooth-cleaning techniques can help avert bacteria from taking a foothold over the health of your child’s teeth. Fortunately, if you act early against tooth decay, it can be prevented.

Pediatric gingivitis

Gum disease is not an issue specific to adults. Children and teens can experience gum disease and gingivitis. Slight bleeding during brushing or flossing and red, swollen gums are signs of gingivitis, a forerunner to gum disease. Inadequate dental care can result in aggressive gum disease-causing mouth pain, swelling, and gum recession. Thankfully, you can avoid pediatric gingivitis by taking proper care of your child’s teeth. Cleaning the teeth properly daily helps you avoid this issue altogether.

Thumb sucking

While giving your child a pacifier soothes them and alleviates anxiety, and it can be troublesome when they get older. An older child that sucks their thumb excessively can affect how your child’s teeth develop. Thumb sucking after the toddler stage can be detrimental to teeth, as it can cause an open bite. When the mouth is closed, the teeth should meet. If the upper and lower rows of teeth don’t meet and there’s a gap when the jaw is closed, this is an open bite. That causes issues with chewing, biting, and even speech.

Restorative Dentistry Near me in Spring, Texas

Do you find yourself searching for restorative dentistry near me? Contact Dr. Mona Houshiar at (832) 662-3008. At Mona Dental for Kids in Spring, Texas, we specialize in kids and youth oral treatments to prevent issues discussed here and enhance your child’s oral health.