Pediatric oral problems are common and they can affect a child’s overall health and development. Most pediatric oral problems can be prevented by keeping your children’s mouths clean and healthy. Things such as by brushing their teeth and gums regularly. Knowing what to look for can also help you catch any issues before they become severe or chronic.
Pacifier use
Pacifier use has been shown to be beneficial in helping infants fall asleep and stay asleep. It also improves their behavioral patterns. However, you can still introduce a pacifier at any time if your child is old enough, regardless of whether or not it is recommended for the age group you’re looking at.
If your baby does not take to the pacifier right away or refuses it altogether, don’t force him or her into using it; instead try different types of nipples until you find one that he or she likes best. A good sign that your little one will get used to sucking on something other than his thumb is when he starts making sucking motions while he’s awake—this means he’s ready! If this doesn’t work out for whatever reason despite trying several different pacifiers and types of nipple material over a period of weeks/months then we recommend consulting with his pediatrician before moving forward with anything else since there could be something wrong medically speaking causing him/her difficulty accepting these substitutes instead (elevated blood sugar levels due to diabetes being just one example).
Tongue thrusting
Tongue thrusting is when a child pushes their tongue against the roof of their mouth, causing it to stick out. This can be caused by tooth pain and cavities, which are common in children. They may also have tongue tie (where the tip of your baby’s tongue is attached too close to the floor of their mouth), which makes it difficult for them to move their tongue freely.
Tongue thrusting can lead to speech problems such as lisping and mispronouncing words, so if you notice this behavior in your child, talk with a doctor about how best to treat it.
Thumb sucking
Thumb sucking is a normal habit, but it can be stopped by the age of 5. If your child sucks their thumb, don’t worry. It’s not harmful to them and may not even cause any problems in the future. You should start looking for ways to stop your child from sucking their thumb as soon as possible though, because there are many reasons why you might want them to stop.
One reason parents would want their children to stop sucking their thumbs is that it can affect their speech development. The more they suck on one side of the mouth, the more likely they are going to have speech problems later on in life. This happens because when people are eating or talking—especially with food in their mouth—they put pressure on different parts of the mouth at different times so we know where everything goes when we talk or eat things like soup or applesauce (which isn’t really edible). When someone has been using one side of their mouth more than another since childhood, those muscles get stronger over time and eventually become more dominant than other muscles used during speech like tongue movement or jaw movement (the upper part of our face). So even if your child starts using both sides equally after five years old/eight years old/ten years old/twelve years old… there’s still going to be some lasting effects on his overall ability with language development!
Teething
Teething is a normal part of child development. It begins between 6 and 12 months, and typically lasts until age 3 or 4 years old. Teething can cause discomfort, especially at night.
- A fever is not uncommon during teething, but it’s usually mild (100°F [37.8°C] or below). Your doctor won’t prescribe antibiotics unless your child has one that’s 104°F (40°C) or higher with no other cause for the temperature spike.
- Drooling is common in babies who are teething. They may drool more than usual, or even dribble all over their clothes! Changing clothes often will help keep them dryer throughout the day.
Baby bottle caries
Baby bottle caries is a common problem in infants. This is caused by prolonged use of a bottle, which causes the teeth to become smooth and sticky. The sugars from the formula or breast milk stick to this surface and create acid that can cause an infection known as dental decay. This condition can lead to pain, swelling, and even abscesses. To prevent baby bottle caries:
- Don’t let your baby use a sippy cup for more than one hour at a time (or 30 minutes if he or she has 6 teeth or less).
- Avoid giving your child juice until after their first birthday – if you do give it to them at all!
Tooth decay
Tooth decay occurs when plaque, a sticky film that forms on teeth, mixes with sugar and bacteria. Over time, the acid produced by the bacteria eats through the surface of the tooth, creating a cavity. Cavities can be prevented by brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, drinking fluoridated water and limiting snacking between meals. A trustworthy pediatric dentist can fill a small cavity with a material that matches the color of natural teeth. However, if the cavity is large or in an area where it would be difficult for the patient to brush and floss daily, it may need to be filled with a stronger material that bonds more tightly to tooth structure.
Braces
Braces are applied to teeth to realign them if they’re crooked or overlapping, or if their bite is off-kilter. They may also be used to correct a gap between two teeth (diastema). Braces may be fixed, removable (temporary), or even invisible (clear braces). Depending on the type of brace, you’ll need to visit your dentist every one to three months for adjustments.
Fluorosis (fluoride damage)
Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making enamel more resistant to decay-causing acids produced by bacteria in plaque. this chemical also stimulates growth of new tooth enamel after a cavity has been repaired or removed. Fluoride damage is caused by too much fluoride during childhood. It results in increased numbers of tiny white lines or spots on children’s permanent teeth (usually the front ones).
Canker sores in children
Canker sores are a common problem in children. They often occur during the school years, between the ages of 5 and 10. A canker sore is an open, painful ulcer on the tongue or inside of the mouth that lasts for several days and then heals without treatment. Canker sores are not contagious and are caused by a virus that infects cells in the mouth.
If you think your child has a canker sore, don’t panic! There’s no need to rush them to the dentist—these tips will help you get through this oral condition easily:
- Rinse out your child’s mouth after meals to prevent food from getting trapped inside his or her teeth.
- Use warm saltwater rinses twice daily.
- Avoid hard foods such as nuts and seeds until his or her mouth heals completely.
- Apply ice packs if swelling occurs around either side of a large canker sore (this could affect eating habits). If symptoms persist after two weeks, speak with your doctor about possible treatments. This may help soothe irritation while promoting faster healing time overall!
Pediatric dentistry is very important to the overall health of your child to find out their pediatric oral problems. Because their bodies are still developing, they are susceptible to many different oral problems. These problems can affect their overall growth, metabolism, and behavior. The above article explains what to look out for in order to prevent certain types of pediatric oral problems, which may vary depending on the particular situation of each child..
