Oral health is important regardless of age and gender. It is fortunate to know that as early as possible, many parents are giving importance to oral health of their children. regular dental check-ups, dental prophylaxis, and orthodontic intervention are now given to children. It also addresses issues with permanent tooth erupting behind a baby tooth (shark teeth)(ฟันแท้ขึ้นซ้อน, this is the term in Thai). While there are plenty of dental issues in pediatric patients, parents must know when is the best time to see a pediatric dentist. Many parents would let their child go to the dentist if it warrants baby tooth extraction (ถอนฟันน้ำนม, term in Thai), but in reality, there are other scenarios to be cautious about, and we will discuss them below.
- Accidents that cause chipping or losing of tooth/teeth – It is in nature of children to be playful, which exposes them to danger such as the possibility of trip and fall. These incidents can lead to dental emergency . Thus, it is important to get in touch with pediatric dentists in times like this. If your child’s tooth falls out or cracks, get in touch with the dentist as soon as possible. If not, your child may have serious pediatric dental problems, which can worsen if left untreated on a timely manner.
- Children experiencing teeth sensitivity – Teeth sensitivity is common in children, but it does not mean you have to disregard it. Your child might not verbalize it, but tooth sensitivity can cause a feeling of discomfort. There are reasons behind this such as underlying cavities, enamel starts to wear out, a chip, cracked, or crooked teeth, or could be that the adult teeth are growing. Pediatric dentists are experts in addressing these kinds of dental issues, hence, make it a habit to take your child to pediatric dentist on a regular basis.
- Gum-related diseases – Gum-related diseases do not only affect adults, but children too. What is concerning about gum-related diseases in children is they are not obvious until they get worsen. The causes are mainly poor oral hygiene, especially when the child is unsupervised by adults. Once you notice gum issues, it is best to bring your child to a pediatric dentist to tend to the issue as soon as possible.
- Foul smelling mouth – Keep in mind that most kids don’t know how to take good care of their oral health, let alone to know how to brush their teeth properly. Poor oral hygiene can lead to foul breath. However, this problem can occasionally worsen and may be a sign of halitosis. Food particles and other foreign substances in the mouth can cause bad breath overtime, and could eventually lead to halitosis when not addressed properly. A pediatric dentist can help address this issue and can suggest ways and products to prevent this scenario from happening again.
It is good to know that many dentists today specialize in pediatric dentistry. Gone are the days when children have to be squeezed in to adults just to get the dental services they need. Specialized pediatric dentists are the parents and guardian’s partner when it comes to excellent oral health in children.
