Common Pediatric Dental Issues and Their Treatments

Parents concerned about their child’s oral health will be happy to know that pediatric dentists offer services that can help protect their teeth for years to come. Our pediatric dentist treats an array of dental issues with comfortable and affordable dental procedures, a few of which have been listed below. 

Cavities

Pediatric cavities are common, so much so that they are the most common chronic disease in children. Cavities are caused by bacteria, which naturally live in the mouth. When bacteria convert the sugars from foods and drinks into acid, it eats away at the tooth enamel. When the enamel is weakened, cavities form.

Pulpal Disease

Pulpal disease, or pulpitis, refers to the inflammation of the pulpal tissue inside of the tooth. It is a soft tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels and is a key part of the tooth’s development.

Pulpal disease may occur if a tooth is infected. If the disease goes untreated, it may lead to an abscess. An abscess is a bacterial infection that can develop in the child's tooth, causing the pulpal tissue to die.

Impacted Teeth

As the name suggests, an impacted tooth is one that is blocked from erupting. Normally, the maxillary cuspid or canine tooth is the last tooth to erupt into place. Most children have at least one impacted tooth. This occurs most often with the third molars or wisdom teeth.

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a habit that begins during infancy. Many children give up the habit naturally between the ages of two and five. However, some children continue the habit well into adulthood. Thumb sucking can cause the teeth to move in an abnormal way and can wear down the teeth.

Bad Breath

Bacteria on the teeth cause bad breath. These bacteria often live at the back of the tongue, where the tongue and gums meet. Some foods and beverages, like onions, garlic and coffee, also cause bad breath.

If the bad breath persists, a dental cleaning may be recommended. In severe cases, a dentist may recommend halitosis treatment.

Tongue-Tie

Tongue-ties are a common condition in children. It is when the frenulum—which is a thin piece of skin under your tongue—is attached too far down, causing an obstruction. In adults, this is easily fixed by a simple snip of the frenulum. In children, the frenulum is softer and more flexible, which is why a simple snip doesn’t work. Instead, children’s tongue ties are treated with dental appliances, a surgical procedure or even a combination of the two.

Call us at 636-532-2101 or schedule an appointment online to consult our dentist at Licata Dental.