Many people believe that orthodontic care for children isn't necessary. This is a common misconception. In fact, many children under the age of 13 require orthodontic treatment to strengthen their teeth, relieve discomfort, and aid in the normal development of adult teeth. There are a few signs that can help parents decide if their child needs to see a pediatric dentist or orthodontist.
Continue reading to discover the warning signs of dental issues in children and what you can do to treat them.
1. Your child has dental pain
Take your child to a pediatric dentist right away if they complain of any pain in their mouth. Otherwise, the pain can get worse and make it hard for your kid to go about his or her daily routine, including eating. Dental pain can also be a sign that your child has a dangerous infection that requires urgent medical attention.
Even if your child still has baby teeth, they may develop tooth decay, which might harm their gums permanently. Children are also at an increased risk for injuries, such as a chipped tooth due to contact sports like football. In either case, a trip to a top pediatric dentist is required to treat the condition and stop it from getting worse.
2. Your child’s teeth are sensitive to certain foods and drinks
Your child may have a dental issue if they complain of pain or discomfort when biting into food. Children frequently get cavities because they enjoy sweets and don't always clean their teeth correctly. Your kid may experience severe discomfort from these cavities, and they may become sensitive to cold or hard food.
You must address your child's oral problems right away by taking them to a pediatric dentist or orthodontist if you want them to consume a nutritious diet. When your child has problems eating a certain food, they may decide not to eat it at all. A kid who needs nutrition to develop normally might be in serious trouble as a result.
3. Your child has crowded or overlapping teeth
Misaligned teeth are rarely a cause for concern because children grow rapidly and their teeth occasionally straighten themselves as they age. To be safe, get your child's dental health checked by an orthodontist. Some youngsters require braces or aligners as soon as possible in order for their adult teeth to develop correctly after their baby teeth fall out.
Minor cases of misaligned teeth may be corrected using aligners, and the probability of your kid feeling pain can be reduced within a few months. Braces may be necessary in more severe cases of dental misalignment.
If you had overlapping teeth at a young age, your child is likely to have the same issue. Furthermore, if your child frequently sucks their thumbs, you should stop them right away because this will cause their teeth to overlap, resulting in things such as eating and drinking becoming painful.
4. Your child has bleeding gums
Improper dental hygiene, inflammation, and tooth loss can all result in bleeding gums. If your child does not brush as frequently as they should, plaque will build up and start eating away at the tissues in your child's mouth. Furthermore, teeth missing due to injury or severe decay is always a serious concern. Hence, you should always take your children to a pediatric dentist if any of the aforementioned issues occur.
If your child has bleeding gums, send them to the dentist right away since gum disease can develop in severe cases. The last thing you want to do is allow things to spiral out of control since it might endanger your child's health and exhaust your finances.
