peadiatric Dentistry
Mouth Sores
There are a variety of reasons a child may get mouth sores. Trauma and stress may cause aphthous ulcers, or “canker sores.” The herpes virus may cause cold sores and infected teeth may cause abscesses.
Teeth Grinding
Tooth grinding in children can be a normal response to jaw growth which resolves on its own over time, or it can indicate more serious problems with your child’s dentition and airways.
Bad Breath
There are many potential causes for bad breath in children. Some common causes include a diet of aromatic foods, inadequate oral hygiene (including the tongue), infections in the mouth, infected tonsils, chronic nasal or sinus problems and other digestive tract problems.
Crowded or Crooked Teeth
Depending on severity, crowded or crooked teeth can be a normal stage of growth and development or can indicate lasting problems with your child’s bite and appearance. This problem may correct itself by the time a child has fully grown their adult teeth, but if they don’t it is recommended to visit a dentist or orthodontist.
Spaces Between Teeth
Spaces between a child’s teeth are often a normal stage of development. In some cases spaces may indicate missing or extra teeth as well as abnormally positioned teeth. In most cases, when baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth, the gaps in teeth close by themselves with growth and time.
Snoring
Occasional snoring in children is normal. If snoring is persistent or signs of sleep apnea exist, your child may be at higher risk for growth and development problems. Learn more about how snoring in children can be mitigated.
Discolored Teeth
As your child’s teeth erupt, you may notice mottling of certain teeth or a difference in color between teeth. These color differences can be a normal stage of development as children’s permanent teeth are often naturally darker than their baby teeth. They may also indicate malformation of the teeth due to various influences.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a protective coating placed on the chewing surface of the back teeth to protect against cavities. Permanent back teeth have a significantly higher risk of developing decay as your toothbrush cannot reach the base of the grooves and pits on the biting surface of these teeth to clean them.
FLUORIDE
Fluoride is a naturally occuring element that is used in dentistry to help prevent cavities. Flouride is an effective way to prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria and sugars in the mouth. Flouride is a safe and effective in preventing tooth decay.