Common Pediatric Dental Issues and How to Address Them

Ensuring your child’s oral health is essential to their well-being and development. While focusing on milestones like your child’s first steps or words is natural, dental health should not be overlooked. Some problems that seem minor or a normal part of growing up can lead to serious dental health issues later in life if not addressed early. Proactively addressing these issues early can ensure your child’s oral health and prevent potential problems.

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for infants and toddlers, often providing comfort and security. However, prolonged thumb sucking can lead to dental problems such as misaligned teeth, changes in the roof of the mouth, and issues with proper bite alignment.

If your child sucks their thumb, encourage them to stop by praising them when they avoid thumb-sucking and distracting them whenever possible with an alternative form of comfort. If they are cuddling with their favorite stuffed animal or a soft blanket, they are less likely to soothe themselves by sucking their thumb. If your child is still sucking their thumb or finger when they are four or older, we can suggest ways to reduce or eliminate the habit using oral appliances or special approaches.

 Baby Bottle Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay is an early form of dental caries caused by children’s teeth being frequently exposed to sugary drinks like juice, milk, or formula when sleeping or putting to bed. Although letting your child fall asleep with their bottle or sippy cup is tempting, it’s never a good idea. The sugary fluids pool around their teeth, eating away at the enamel and leading to severe tooth decay. If your child has to have a bottle or cup, it should only have water.

As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, begin brushing with fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush. Limit sugary drinks and snacks, and make sure your child eats plenty of raw fruits and vegetables. A visit to our office for dental sealants can also help protect their teeth from baby bottle decay.

Delayed Tooth Loss

When your child loses their baby teeth, it’s a momentous occasion. Most want to leave their missing tooth for the tooth fairy and hope for a small gift or a few coins. But sometimes, a permanent tooth comes in before the baby tooth is loose enough to fall out, or the baby tooth blocks the new tooth from emerging. This is one reason it is so important for your child to have a dental checkup twice yearly – we can track your child’s tooth development and determine if any intervention is needed.

If your child still has a baby tooth in their mouth and you can see the permanent tooth erupting behind or in front of it, please contact our office for an evaluation. Using an orthodontic appliance, we may need to extract the baby teeth and guide the permanent tooth into the proper position.

Gum Disease

You probably think of gum disease as something only adults have to worry about, but the incidence of gum disease in children is on the rise. Symptoms like red, swollen gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing are early signs of gingivitis, which is quite common in children due to poor oral hygiene. Left untreated, it can lead to more serious periodontal disease.

If you suspect your child has gingivitis, an appointment with us is crucial so we can evaluate how advanced the plaque buildup is and remove as much as possible. Regular dental cleanings, brushing, and flossing are also vital to keeping your child’s teeth clean and free of plaque buildup.

We Can Help

Dr. Vakili are always available to answer your questions and demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques to your child. If you have any concerns about dental issues, please contact our office at Kentfield Office Phone Number 415-454-6414 to schedule an appointment for you and your child.