3 Top Problems Children Face in Dentistry and how to Solve Them

Have you ever thought about how your child’s dental health can affect their overall wellbeing? A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that children with poor dental health miss school more often and earn lower grades than children with better dental health.  

Dental health is an important building block in your child’s healthy foundation. In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, we are spreading awareness about three common dental problems children face and how you can address them. 

Tooth Decay  

Problem: Tooth decay, also known as cavities, is pervasive among children, but the good news is that they are preventable. Cavities occur when bacteria in your mouth feed on sugary foods you eat and convert it into acid, which creates plaque when mixed with your saliva and other things in your mouth, says the Cleveland Clinic. When it is not removed by brushing and flossing, the plaque can lead to cavities.  

According to recent data from the CDC and National Center for Health Statistics, about 12% of kids aged 5-19 have untreated tooth decay. Because young children enjoy sugary foods and drinks and may lack understanding of proper dental hygiene, they can be especially susceptible to tooth decay. 

Solution: This year’s theme for National Children’s Dental Health Month is “Sealants make sense.” Sealants help prevent cavities by protecting the chewing surfaces of the teeth. They are simply painted onto the patient’s teeth (usually the molars and premolars) and quickly bind onto the tooth’s rugged surface, says the Cleveland Clinic. Sealants last for about 10 years. 

If you catch tooth decay early, fluoride treatments can help restore enamel. However, if a cavity hole has already formed, you may need a filling or an extraction. We provide all these services at Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett. 

Moreover, the best way to prevent cavities is to instruct your children about dental hygiene and limit sweet drinks and snacks! 

Teeth Alignment 

Problem: Several factors can lead to teeth alignment issues. For younger children, it may be thumb-sucking after age 5, lip-sucking, and tongue-thrusting (when kids thrust their tongues against their lips when they swallow), according to WebMD. Other causes could be injuries, genetics, or other environmental factors, it says Sanford Children’s Health. Whatever the cause may be, several treatments are available for this common dental problem.  

Solution: Treatments for malocclusion (teeth alignment issues) in children include tooth removal, jaw surgery, and mouth appliances (like retainers or braces), according to Sanford Children’s Health.  

Anxiety 

Problem: It is normal for kids to feel worried about going to the doctor, dentist, hair salon, etc., but we understand it can make every day errands difficult. Several studies about dental anxieties in children have been published online, so take comfort in knowing that you are not the only parent who experiences this.  

Solution: It is always good to educate your children about dental hygiene and instill in them the importance of taking care of your health. One easy way to do this is to print out these free activity sheets and coloring pages offered by the American Dental Association (ADA), available in both Spanish and English. Kids learn by creating and playing, so allow them to get comfortable with dentistry by introducing fun activities.  

“The best way to combat dental anxiety in children is to make the experience relaxed, fun, and enjoyable,” wrote Dr. Scott Futch, a clinical director of several dental clinics in Nevada. 

Dr. Futch also advises teaching your children the importance of dental hygiene and modeling that for them. Your children look up to you anyways, so set an example and teach them they have nothing to fear.  

Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett provides low-cost dental services to uninsured patients in Gwinnett County. We have two locations in Norcross. Book your appointment by calling 678-280-6630 for our Buford Highway clinic or 770-806-0162 for our Commerical Court clinic.