Good oral health starts sooner than you might think. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends parents schedule a pediatric dentist visit at the appearance of a child’s first tooth. The sooner you bring your child to a pediatric dentist, the better for their oral health.
Not sure if it’s time to schedule an appointment? Here are seven signs you should visit a Spanish Fork pediatric dentist right away.
By learning how to recognize these signs, you can make a smarter decision for your child’s health.
About 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness. Teaching your child about the importance of oral hygiene now can set them up for success in the future. Instead of missing school, they can smile and focus on their education.
Make a choice for your child’s future. Read on to determine when to take them to a pediatric dentist in Spanish Fork today!
1. They’re in Pain
About 13.2% of children have untreated dental caries. Meanwhile, only 85.9% of children have visited a dentist in the past year. If your child complains of tooth pain, consider visiting a Spanish Fork pediatric dentist.
Tooth pain can strike at any time. It can impact your child’s ability to focus, speak, or eat. If your child refuses to eat due to the pain, it could impact their health.
They’ll fail to get the nutrients they need.
First, check for a fever or facial swelling. If your child doesn’t have these symptoms, it’s likely not an emergency. Ask your child to show you where the pain is generalized.
Ask how long their tooth has hurt, too.
Then, take a look inside of your child’s mouth. Do you notice any visual damage? Look for signs of dental decay.
There are a few reasons your child might experience tooth pain, including:
- Dental decay
- Improper brushing
- Fillings
- Cracks and chips
- New teeth
- Sinus problems
- Diet
A cavity could cause your child’s pain. Otherwise, misaligned teeth could cause them to start grinding. Grinding their teeth could lead to hairline cracks and chips.
Even improper brushing can wear down their tooth enamel, causing cuts and bruising.
Schedule an appointment with the best pediatric dentist in Spanish Fork to determine the source of the problem.
2. Tooth Sensitivity
If your child starts experiencing tooth sensitivity, there’s a chance they have a cavity. Do they experience sensitivity when eating hot or cool foods? Talk to your Spanish Fork pediatric dentist.
You don’t want to delay seeking treatment. Otherwise, the cavity could cause even more pain.
Otherwise, make sure to schedule check-up appointments twice a year. Regular checkups will ensure everything is okay with your child’s teeth. Your pediatric dentist in Spanish Fork can assess your child for any risk factors down the road.
Tooth sensitivity can impact one or multiple teeth. It often occurs after:
- Brushing too hard
- Grinding teeth
- Regularly eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages
- Using a hard toothbrush
Sometimes, tooth sensitivity could point to another condition. It’s also possible that tooth decay or chipped teeth are leaving the dentin of the tooth exposed. Your child could experience sensitivity as a result.
Speak with your pediatric dentist in Spanish Fork to pinpoint the tooth cause of the problem.
3. Bad Breath
Does your child have bad breath, even after they’ve brushed their teeth? Bad breath could indicate a few potential problems.
First, keep an eye on your child’s oral health habits. Are they brushing and flossing every day? If not, they’re leaving food debris caught between their teeth.
Food debris can cause foul odors. Plaque can form, allowing bacteria to build up, irritating your child’s gums. They could develop tooth decay as a result.
Bad breath could also indicate an infection or disease. For example, your child could have a sinus infection. Fluid could get cause in their throat and nasal passages, causing bacteria to build.
Otherwise, check their tonsils. Do their tonsils look red, inflamed, and have white spots? It’s possible bacteria collected on the pits of their swollen tonsils, causing bad breath.
Bad breath could point to kidney failure, stomach infections, or diabetes. Schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatric dentist to diagnose the issue.
4. Swollen or Bleeding Gums
Bleeding, red, or swollen gums could indicate your child has gum disease.
Remember, it’s important to clear away the food debris caught between their teeth. Otherwise, plaque could form. Plaque can harden into tartar, leading to gum disease.
Gum disease can cause:
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Tender gums
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Red gums
- Swollen or puffy gums
Speak with your pediatric dentist right away if these symptoms sound familiar. It’s important to reverse the damage before gingivitis progresses into periodontitis. Periodontitis is the more severe form of gum disease.
5. White Spots
Have you noticed white or brown spots on the surface of your child’s teeth? Those spots could indicate a dental cavity is starting to form.
Call your child’s pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, tooth decay could start to progress.
6. Delays With Adult Teeth
Some children don’t lose their baby teeth right away, even after an adult tooth breaks through their gums. If there’s an issue with your child’s adult teeth, schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist. The dentist might need to intervene.
Keep an eye out for loose or wiggly teeth, too. If an adult tooth becomes loose, talk to the dentist right away.
7. Clicking Jaw
Does your child’s jaw make a popping or clicking sound when they chew? It’s possible your child needs braces. This sound could indicate they have a jaw misalignment.
They might have an underbite or overbite as well.
Your pediatric dentist will determine whether or not your child needs braces.
Brush Up: 7 Signs You Need to Visit a Spanish Fork Pediatric Dentist
Remember, you can schedule your child’s first appointment as soon as their first tooth appears. If you notice any of these issues, schedule an appointment right away. Your Spanish Fork pediatric dentist can take a look and assess the issue.
With their help, you can help your child avoid future dental problems. Instead, they can maintain healthy teeth and a stunning smile.
Ready to schedule your child’s next appointment? We can’t wait to see you!
Contact us today to get started.
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