From the moment a child is born, their parents should attach great importance to good dental care. Milk teeth matter enormously for a child’s oral health, even though they will later be replaced by permanent teeth. Keeping them healthy is decisive, because they form the basis for the teeth that follow. As soon as your child gets their first tooth, a series of tasks falls on your shoulders as a parent. According to the World Health Organization, more than 530 million children worldwide are affected by decay in their milk teeth. Parents’ lack of awareness about their children’s dental health is one of the main causes. Most parents believe that milk teeth will eventually be replaced and are of little use. But if you want permanent teeth free of problems, you have to start caring for the mouth at a young age. The development of the permanent teeth and general dental health are influenced by the milk teeth.
What is paediatric dentistry?
Paediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry focused on the oral health of young patients. Paediatric dentists, also called pedodontists, are the specialists who diagnose and treat dental problems in newborns, children and teenagers. They look after your child’s oral health from birth to puberty.
How oral habits affect the permanent teeth
The state of a child’s dental health affects their general health and wellbeing — physical, mental and emotional. Poor oral health can lead to a variety of painful conditions, decay among them. That is why all parents should pay attention to their child’s dental care, work on improving it and make visits to the paediatric dentist a fixture. Plaque, visible decay, inflamed gums, bad breath, bleeding gums and white spots on the teeth are the most common findings in children and adolescents. Let us now look at the part a child’s oral habits play in the development of the permanent teeth.
Early childhood decay
This is often called bottle decay, because infants typically take in milk or other sugary liquids while feeding. Babies who are fed often fall asleep with milk in their mouths, which raises the likelihood of developing decay later. Problems with the milk teeth, such as decay or injury, can hinder the permanent teeth from developing in their normal position. They can also infect the mouth and lead to misaligned permanent teeth.
Thumb-sucking
It is normal for newborns to suck their thumbs, dummies and even their toys. It becomes difficult, however, when children are still sucking their thumb after the age of five. During that time the permanent teeth begin to come through, which can lead to problems with their position. The child may also have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, or the upper and lower jaws may not meet properly.
Losing a milk tooth too early
If a child loses a milk tooth prematurely, or because of decay, before the permanent teeth come in, that can bring a number of complications. The permanent teeth only arrive later. The neighbouring tooth can shift or tip into the gap, which causes complications for the permanent tooth. The result is crooked teeth or other deviations. If you see a paediatric dentist, on the other hand, the treatment they indicate can quickly help preserve the open space until the permanent tooth arrives.
Sippy cups used continuously through the day
If you let your child drink from a sippy cup or bottle of milk or other sweetened drinks all day, there is a risk of oral health problems. If they drink too quickly, the saliva in the mouth has less time to remove the sugar, which can lead to decay. As a preventive measure, limit the time your child spends drinking from cups and encourage them to rinse with water after sugary drinks.
Not making the paediatric dentist a priority
If you turn to a dentist or go and see one, they can treat all your child’s dental problems. Putting off a visit is the main factor contributing to serious problems developing. When you take your child to the dentist, they examine the teeth, look for oral problems such as decay and give you the appropriate instructions. Taking your child for regular check-ups can prevent many future problems.
Call Zahnchirurgie Köln today to arrange an appointment for your child
You are welcome to arrange an appointment with us so that our dentist can advise you. It is best for your child to go for regular check-ups regardless of whether they have problems or not. If your child has a dental problem in its early stages, it can be treated then, so that they do not have to suffer later. And even if your child has no problems yet, the dentist will offer preventive measures for possible issues in future.
