A New Smile Was the Best Investment of My Life

A New Smile Was the Best Investment of My Life

When Adult Dental Problems Strike Kids: Hows And Whys And What To Do Next

Oscar Allen

Most people generally assume that dental and oral health problems found in adults cannot strike kids. Sadly, that is just not true. Many kids are affected by the same oral and dental problems, and there are a multitude of reasons why. Here are some of the oral/dental problems seen in both adults and children, and what a children's dental care specialist has to to say about each problem.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue, is seen in children more often than pediatric dentists like. The causes are three-fold; poor or no brushing, improper nutrition, and salivation problems brought on by either medication or mouth-breathing. Thankfully, kids bounce back faster from gingivitis than adults do. If your child's dentist tells you that your child is developing or has gingivitis, you should have your child eat more citrus or take a vitamin C supplement, brush more often, and use a mouth rinse that helps them salivate and kill bacteria. If your child breathes through his/her mouth, you might want to ask a pediatrician about underlying conditions and treatment options for this issue. 

Broken and Stained Teeth

Adults get broken and stained teeth because of weakened enamel or an accident. The same holds true for kids, except in their case weakened enamel is not due to age. It is due to lack of fluoride and/or poor brushing habits. It can also be caused by "bottle-mouth," but that is more common in infants and toddlers. If the teeth are baby teeth, the dentist will decide whether to cap them or pull them and wait for the adult teeth to erupt. As for staining, good cleaning, brushing, and fluoride treatments can help remove a lot of the stains. 

Halitosis and Tonsiliths

Halitosis is a fancy word for "bad breath." It is not just bad breath, it is the foulest of bad breath. Your child's dentist can check to see if tonsiliths (or tonsil "stones") are the problem. These nasty, pasty, and sometimes hard bits of rotting food particles and bacteria collect in lump form in your tonsils and sit there, creating really foul breath. No amount of brushing one's teeth can prevent the bad breath that tonsiliths create. They will continue to appear, especially if your child sleeps with his/her mouth open at night and/or snores. If your child does not have tonsiliths, the simple act of sleeping with one's mouth open is enough to create the bacteria that gives him/her halitosis. Specially prescribed mouthwashes can help. 

For more information, you will want to contact a place such as Dentistry For Children & Adolescents.


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About Me
A New Smile Was the Best Investment of My Life

I grew up in a home with parents who did not insist on good dental hygiene. By the time I was old enough to know better, some damage had already been done. I had many cavities, crooked teeth, and some discoloration on my teeth. I knew it would not be easy to take my smile from where it was to where it is today, but I was determined to finally have nice teeth. I visited a dentist who was very nice and never judged me. We made a dental plan together. Spreading the procedures out over time made it much easier to afford them. I now have almost perfect teeth after all that hard work! I created this blog to help others who have dental problems that stem from bad childhood habits know there is hope! It is never too late to start seeing the dentist!