From the moment that your baby is born, you want the very best for that child. Taking your children to their wellness exams, keeping up with vaccines and eating healthy foods are your main concerns. However, parents must also keep up with dental exams too. Get to know the top four, pediatric health concerns that every parent should be aware of as the childhood years pass by with amazing speed.
Cavity Issues
Cavities are the main threat to pediatric, dental patients because sugary treats tend to be frequent for children. Lollipops, gum and other treats lay a lot of sugars at the base of your child’s teeth. These sugars gain traction as bacteria break down the enamel that coats each tooth. By allowing the sugars to remain in the mouth, cavities quickly become an issue. Some parents might be under the impression that the primary teeth don’t have to be cared for as much as the permanent teeth that haven’t developed yet. However, this belief can lead to rotted teeth and gum disease. Take care of the primary teeth as if they were permanent fixtures.
Help your child brush and floss while limiting the sugary treats. Bottles or sippy cups with fruit juices and other sugar-laden products shouldn’t be sucked on for long periods of time. Healthy diets and daily brushing will fight off cavities during childhood.
Gum Massages for Babies
A lesser known dental issue concerns babies and their gums. Babies are constantly sucking on their mother’s breast milk or formula bottles. Although babies don’t have teeth quite yet, they’re hidden just below the gum’s surface. Ideally, use a gum massager on your baby’s mouth. These massagers slide right onto your finger so that you can cuddle the baby while massaging their gums. This action is comforting for both of you while taking care of the gums. In fact, the teeth will have healthy tissue to break through as they develop. You’ll notice that the gums and new teeth are as healthy as possible because you took the time to massage away any bacteria that reside on the gums.
Dental Visits for X-Rays
Many pediatric, dental health concerns aren’t noticeable from a cursory glance at the mouth. It’s critical to take your child to the dentist every 6 months after his or her first birthday. Once a year, the dentist will take X-rays to verify how the teeth are developing within the gums. There might be an impacted tooth or other issues that must be treated well before it reaches the gum line. Many of these issues are easier to deal with when they’re discovered at their early stages. The child can avoid certain surgeries or even orthodontic work by visiting the dentist from an early age. X-rays and dental cleanings are the key tools to fight off most tooth-related ailments.
The Wisdom Teeth Period
Your child may be in high school, but he or she is still a pediatric patient. The teeth and gums might be healthy and straight, but the wisdom teeth may be growing in with unusual angles. Pain and possible impactions can occur if you don’t address the issue of wisdom-teeth removal when the dentist suggests it. The wisdom teeth may not be visible yet, but they’re pressing against the other molars. Your dentist may need to remove them before they erupt through the gum. Many doctors use nitrous oxide sedation in Wilmington, De, and in other areas, to make pulling wisdom teeth easier. Dentists don’t necessarily use sedation on kids, but it is still an option for people in general. Without being aware of this pediatric dental issue, your child’s health might be negatively affected.
Be a role model for your child as he or she develops healthy, oral habits. Brush and floss your teeth together as a fun, bonding session. By modeling your dental behaviors, they’re sure to be passed onto your children.
