Tooth pain is just one sign your child needs to see a dentist. Keep reading for saving baby teeth: 7 key signs your child may need to see a dentist.
Many parents wait entirely too long to take their children to the dentist for the first time. In fact, one recent study showed that about one in six parents believe kids can wait until they’re 4 to make their initial trip to a dentist’s office.
This is not the approach parents should take to providing their kids with dental care, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP recommends parents start taking their children to the dentist right around their first birthday.
Dentists have a better chance of saving baby teeth when they start seeing kids from a young age. They can also help with a variety of other dental issues that might affect kids when they’re young.
Here are six signs that will let you know your child should see a dentist right away.
1. Sore Gums
Has your child been complaining about their gums hurting a lot lately?
It might be because they’re not brushing their teeth properly and pushing their toothbrush up against their gums too hard. It’s worth watching them brush to make sure they’re doing it right.
But it might also be because gingivitis is starting to set in. This should be a huge concern for you since gingivitis can lead to advanced stages of periodontal disease if you’re not careful.
Sore gums can make it difficult for kids to chew food. They can also make brushing more painful than it should be.
Take your child to the dentist so that they can check out your child’s gums.
2. White Spots on Teeth
If a parent sees yellow or brown spots forming on their child’s teeth, they’re often very concerned. But if they see white spots, they don’t see it as a sign of trouble.
White spots should be a big red flag for parents, though. They can be every bit as dangerous to baby teeth as yellow and brown spots can be.
They’re actually a sign that a cavity is going to start to take hold of one of your child’s teeth. If you don’t act fast, your child is going to suffer for it before long and saving baby teeth might be out of the question.
The good news is that a dentist can take the necessary steps to remove white stains from your child’s teeth. They can also talk to you and your child about taking better care of their teeth.
3. Yellow Teeth
Yellow teeth are a bad sign for those of all ages. It doesn’t matter if a person is 5, 25, 55, or 85. The last thing they want to see are yellow teeth in their mouth.
Yellow teeth often illustrate that a person is eating certain foods that are staining their teeth. You may need to adjust your child’s diet to stop their teeth from yellowing over time.
Otherwise, they’re going to develop certain eating habits that will affect their adult teeth once they come in. You’re better off teaching them now about which foods to stay away from if they want to steer clear of having yellow teeth.
4. Sensitive Teeth
Most kids love ice cream. But you’re going to find that your child won’t want to eat ice cream much if they have sensitive teeth.
You’re also going to find that your child won’t want to eat some hot foods if they have sensitive teeth. It can make it even harder than it already is for you to find foods that your child likes eating.
Tooth sensitivity can go away on its own in some cases. But it can also indicate a more serious problem with a child’s teeth. They may have a bad case of tooth decay that will force you to find a pediatric dentist who can provide your child with more advanced dental care.
5. Loose Teeth That Won’t Fall Out
Most kids start to lose their teeth once they turn 6 or 7. They continue to lose them until they’re in their early teen years. Once the first one goes, they keep on falling out to make room for adult teeth.
But somewhere along the line, you might find that your child has one particular tooth that won’t fall out. No matter how much your child wiggles it around, it will stay put and refuse to come out.
This can cause issues with your child’s adult teeth in some instances. The adult teeth might not have room to grow in when baby teeth are in the way.
A dentist can look at a child’s loose tooth and tell whether or not it’s ready to come out. If it is, they can gently coax a child into allowing them to work their magic to remove their loose tooth.
6. Toothaches
As long as your child brushes their teeth twice every day, they shouldn’t have to suffer from a toothache at any time. But there are some kids who get toothaches for one reason or another during their younger years.
If your child tells you that they have a toothache once, you don’t have to freak out about it too much. But if they’re always telling you about a specific tooth that hurts, it’ll be time to schedule an appointment with their dentist.
Their dentist can pinpoint the source of their pain and do something about it. They can also tell you what may have caused the toothache so that you can adjust your child’s approach to brushing and dental care.
Saving Baby Teeth With Help From a Dentist Is Important
If your child is 2 or 3 now and has never seen a dentist before, change that immediately. Your child could suffer from a whole host of dental issues if you don’t make it a point to start taking them to the dentist right away.
Your child’s dentist can help you with saving baby teeth and getting adult teeth to grow in properly. They can also lend a hand with any dental problems that pop up for your child along the way.
Check out our blog for tips on finding the best dentist for your child.