Table of contents:
- The cause of damaged children's teeth
- 1. Teeth due to drinking milk from a bottle of pacifier
- 2. Cavities or dental caries
- 3.Gingivitis (gum inflammation)
- 4. Thumb-sucked too long
- 5. More sensitive teeth
- How to care for children's teeth so they don't get damaged quickly
Do your child's teeth look yellow, porous and appear brownish spots, or are they even hollow? Watch Out. This could be a sign your child has dental problems. Dental problems in children generally occur because children are fond of sweet foods but are not used to brushing their teeth regularly. Check out what causes the child's teeth to be damaged and the treatments that can be done.
The cause of damaged children's teeth
Teeth problems are not only felt by adults. Children are even more prone to experience it. Quoted from Absolute Dental, it's good for parents to keep their children's teeth healthy so that they are maintained and cared for. Here are some of the causes of tooth decay problems for your child.
1. Teeth due to drinking milk from a bottle of pacifier
Teeth is the decay of a child's teeth due to constantly drinking milk with a bottle of pacifier. Especially if you do it while you sleep, this will make your teeth easily damaged.
Drinking milk from a bottle in a sleeping position may be comfortable for the baby. But, be careful if this is done for hours, it can harm the baby's teeth. When milk sticks or stagnates around the teeth for a long time, it can make the teeth susceptible to bacteria and acids.
Milk contains sugar which is food for bacteria. If milk sugar sticks to the teeth, this means providing food for bacteria to multiply in the teeth so that the teeth become cavities.
The child's upper front teeth are the most susceptible to damage from it. Watch for signs of damage to your child's front teeth, such as white or yellow spots on the teeth. We recommend that you immediately take your child to the dentist.
If left untreated, these causes of tooth decay can result in pain and make it difficult for the child to chew food.
Parents can help children set specific times to drink milk every day because using from a bottle throughout the day can damage baby teeth.
If the child has grown up, there is nothing wrong with teaching him to drink milk with a glass. This will be better for practicing the motor skills and coordination of the child.
2. Cavities or dental caries
Cavities occur when bacteria eat away at tooth enamel, causing decay and eventually cavities. Food that is left on the teeth and not cleaned can trigger this problem.
This is because the food that sticks to the teeth eventually becomes food for bacteria to reproduce. The acid then collects on the teeth, softening the enamel on the teeth, and eventually the teeth become cavities.
This hole will become bigger if not treated immediately. If left untreated, the holes in the child's baby teeth can move to the permanent teeth of the child.
Baby teeth determine the space for the growth of permanent teeth. If baby teeth are damaged, they cannot help the permanent teeth to grow in the right position. This can cause the teeth to stack or tilt.
Cavities can cause swollen gums and can cause the infection to spread elsewhere. The cause of tooth decay in children is marked by white or yellowish spots on the teeth.
3.Gingivitis (gum inflammation)
Many children also experience a dental problem called gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease.
The cause of damaged children's teeth is because the child often eats snacks, such as chocolate and candy, and is exacerbated by bad habits of brushing their teeth.
Then, another cause of gingivitis is too much plaque on the teeth. This makes bacteria stick to the teeth and breed, followed by not brushing your teeth regularly.
If your child's gums are swollen, inflamed, or bleeding after brushing their teeth, you should consult a doctor immediately because they are afraid that your child will suffer from gingivitis.
4. Thumb-sucked too long
Thumb or pacifier sucking is a normal activity for babies as well as toddlers. This is a way that gives you a feeling of calm, security, and comfort.
However, it's best if the child is 5 years old, avoid this habit because nisa is the cause of tooth decay in children.
The frequency of sucking on the thumb or teat for too long can cause the upper teeth to become out of line. This can make it more difficult for the child to bite or chew. Then, this condition can also make the upper and lower jaws become misaligned.
5. More sensitive teeth
If your child has sensitive teeth, he can feel uncomfortable or irritated. There are several factors that cause damaged children's teeth, such as:
- There are holes and cavities that develop.
- The occurrence of eruption or tooth movement.
- Abnormal jaw alignment resulting in grinding of teeth.
- There is a broken tooth.
How to care for children's teeth so they don't get damaged quickly
Dental care for children should be started before their first teeth appear. Even if the teeth are not visible, that does not mean that your child's teeth are not there.
Actually, teeth have started to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth, your baby will have 20 main teeth, which are still fully developed in the jaw.
The following is a way to take care of children's teeth so they don't get damaged quickly from their little ones.
- After your child's teeth appear, it's best if you brush their teeth gently. You can do this with a baby toothbrush and water.
- When children are older and begin to understand how to brush their teeth, around the age of 2 years, you can teach them to spit out the foam that appears when brushing their teeth. Avoid children swallowing toothpaste.
- Around age 3, you can give him a pea-sized fluoride toothpaste. Make sure the child gets enough fluoride to protect the child's teeth from acid. Do not also contain too much fluoride in children's toothpaste because it is not good for dental health.
- Get your children into the habit of always brushing their teeth twice a day on a regular basis, namely after breakfast and before bed. This can prevent the child's teeth from becoming damaged. Then, don't forget to always supervise your child when brushing their own teeth, especially those who are less than 6 years old.
- Limit eating sugary foods because they can erode enamel and cause cavities in your child's teeth. Also make it a habit to always brush your teeth after eating sweet foods so that sugar in food does not stick to your teeth and cavities can be avoided.