The overall health and well-being of your child depend highly on the condition of their teeth and gums. The key to maintaining good oral health is to receive regular dental care. Having said that, it can occasionally be essential for you to visit the dentist’s office between checkups to have your child’s teeth examined. Here are six warning signs that your child may require a dental visit between routine checkups:
1. Tooth pain
If your child is experiencing pain or discomfort in their teeth or gums, you should consider giving your family dentist a call. A professional should check on your child as soon as possible since pain is the body’s natural method of saying that something is not right. This will allow the problem to be evaluated and treated as necessary.
If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth in between exams, call to make an appointment as soon as possible. Your kid shouldn’t have to endure any pain or suffering as a result of a dental problem.
2. White or brown patches on the enamel
If your child’s teeth have what seem to be chalky or white patches, this might be a sign of dental decay. You should also schedule an appointment for your kid to visit the dentist as soon as possible if you see a tooth that is going brown or black or has small cracks in it. Dental decay can progress really fast. Hence, if you see any discoloration, please make an appointment right away so the specialist may check and evaluate your child’s teeth.
3. Irritated gums
Please take your child to the dentist for a checkup if they say that their gums ache after brushing or if their gums are red, swollen, or bleeding. Gum irritation might indicate an onset of oral infection or another serious health issue.
4. Tooth sensitivity
If your kid experiences soreness when eating ice cream or drinking hot tea, this might be an indication that they have dental decay and are at risk of developing cavities. Have a dentist check your child’s teeth and prevent any irreversible damage from happening with proper treatment.
5. Loose teeth
Baby teeth start falling out and are being replaced by adult teeth as your child becomes older. Therefore, losing baby teeth is a normal part of growing up, and it can happen to children between the ages of 6 and 12. However, a pediatric dentist should be consulted as soon as possible if your child’s permanent (adult) tooth gets wiggly, loose, or injured.
6. Delay in permanent tooth eruption
Some children retain their baby teeth even after their permanent teeth start to come in. If the adult tooth was unable to force the baby tooth out on its own, a dentist might need to inspect the issue and, on occasion, intervene. The permanent tooth or teeth may emerge badly misaligned or with other complications. In such a case, the dentist will assess your child and may recommend that they see an orthodontist in the future.
7. Bad breath
Oral bacteria can result in dental decay, and decay itself may be the source of your child’s bad breath. Bring your kid to the dentist to establish the root cause of the problem. The specialist will help find products and treatments to help better control your child’s bad breath.
8. Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers may be uncomfortable. Additionally, they could indicate a more serious underlying dental issue. The presence of too much dangerous oral bacteria, which can cause cavities, may be the culprit behind those sores. Consider making an appointment with a dentist right away if your kid complains of recurring sores or ulcers in their mouth.
