Pediatric Dental Problems

Many pediatric dental problems exist due to poor habits such as consuming sugar, not brushing and flossing properly, and missing the opportunity to introduce children to pediatric dentists. Prevention is one of the key components to avoiding dental problems.

Bottles

• Allowing babies or young children to fall asleep with bottles in their mouths can cause early cavities since the sugars from milk or juice can pool around the teeth. If children need bottles for bedtime, it is best to give them only water.

Decay

• Decay can appear if a child's diet is too high in sugar or they do not have access to fluoride; parents should brush children's teeth regularly to avoid decay and cavities.

Thumb Sucking

• The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children older than the age of three who still suck their thumbs should be encouraged to stop; continuous thumb sucking could lead to crooked teeth or bite problems.

Long-Term Consequences

• According to a study by the George Washington University School of Health and Health Services, long-term consequences of early dental problems include persistent pain, infection, and low self-esteem; children in low-income families are at a higher risk due to their lack of affordable dental care.

Early Visit

• The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents take their child to the dentist by their first birthday to establish good habits and ensure proper development of teeth.