Tooth decay is the most common problem with kids’ and teens’ oral health in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that for children aged between 14 and 17, they are four times more likely to have tooth decay than asthma.
Even though tooth decay and cavities can be avoided, at least one in five kids under 11 has at least one that hasn’t been fixed. Tooth decay and other oral health problems in children are most easily stopped and fixed when they are caught early. In fact, if you start taking care of your teeth and gums well when you’re young, you’re less likely to have problems with them as an adult. Read on to find out what some of the signs of tooth decay in children are so you can get help quickly.
White Flecks
White spots on the teeth are one of the first signs of tooth decay. Plaque acids have worn down the enamel layer of your tooth, which is why you can see the flecks. If you let tooth decay get worse, the white spots could turn brown or black.
Cavities
The next stage of dental decay involves the erosion of the tooth enamel, which results in the formation of a hole or gap on the surface of the tooth. It’s possible that you’ll detect it when you look in the mirror while you’re brushing or flossing your teeth.
When you run your tongue over your teeth, you could also feel that there is a space or a hole there. If you already have cavities, your only option is to schedule an appointment with an expert dentist like Northstar as soon as you can so that they can be treated and filled.
Toothache
A toothache is discomfort that occurs in the jaw and surrounding areas of the teeth. A toothache can range from a mild annoyance to a severe, piercing pain that’s accompanied by a constant throbbing in the head. Take over-the-counter pain medication to ease the discomfort until you can make an appointment with your dentist.
For children, it’s not always possible for them to let adults know they are in pain, especially if they are very young. You’ll need to be on the lookout for any sign they might be in discomfort, such as difficulty eating, speaking, or redness in the cheeks.
Sensitive Teeth
If your teeth hurt after you eat hot or cold food, it could mean you have a cavity. The dentin, a layer of harder tissue beneath the enamel, can be negatively affected as the enamel begins to wear away. Dentin has numerous, minute hollow tubes. Inadequate enamel protection of the dentin means it is more vulnerable to harm from hot, cold, or acidic meals.
Bad Breath
Having bad breath that won’t go away could mean you have tooth decay. The accumulation of hazardous bacteria in the mouth or rotting food trapped in a cavity are both possible causes. You should book an appointment with a dentist if, even though they are brushing their teeth well, your child still has bad breath.
