While most children can make it through childhood without any major dental incidents, almost 20% of kids between the ages of 5 and 11 will need some type of dental correction or procedure to treat missing or broken teeth or teeth with severe tooth decay. If you are a parent of a child that falls in that 20%, you may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious about the future of your child’s teeth. At Premier Dental Center – Universal City, we treat your child in a comforting office setting, so even during a dental emergency or trauma, your child will feel relaxed. As a parent, you are not alone. Lots of children experience dental issues and it is not rare. Here are some of the most common dental procedures or treatments your child may face.
Cavities and Tooth Decay
The most common dental issue in kids is cavities. Children are drawn to sugar and unfortunately, having this kind of sweet tooth will lead to an increase in cavities. Sometimes, the frequency and severity of cavities are genetic, but in most cases, tooth decay is caused by a lack of good dental hygiene and too much sugar in a diet. Cavities can cause painful tooth and gum sensitivity and lead to tooth loss and gum disease. Our dentists will treat cavities with a filling, but in extreme situations, your child may need a different treatment plan.
You can help your child avoid cavities by having them brush twice daily for two minutes each time, floss daily, and eliminate sodas and candies in their daily diet.
Space Maintainers
Something that is incredibly common is losing a tooth early, usually between the ages of three and five. Children can be rough and play hard! While this is exciting and fun, it can lead to some pretty traumatic dental incidents. Whether your child falls off a chair, trips, and lands on a toy, or gets between home plate and the pitcher’s mound, you may be headed to the dentist sooner than you thought. If your child loses a tooth too early (before the average age of 6 for a first tooth loss) your dentist may recommend a space maintainer. This orthodontic device keeps the other baby teeth from crowding the empty space before the adult teeth have a chance to grow in. Without using a space maintainer, your child’s adult teeth may grow crooked or on top of other teeth around them.
There really is no way to prevent a dental emergency – but you can minimize the risk by having your child wear a mouth guard during any physical activities.
Braces
Later on, your child will most likely need braces. In fact, close to 80% of kids will have braces by the time they turn 18! While braces can be used for cosmetic purposes and will give your child a boost of confidence when all is said and done, braces are mostly used in adolescents to help correct crossbites/overbites, jaw alignment issues, and crowding of the mouth. This dental device can drastically improve the way your child eats, speaks, and even their overall quality of life. Thankfully, there are more options for braces than ever – with traditional metal braces being the most cost-effective.
While you can’t prevent a crooked smile, you can fix one. There are options for all families including clear braces and Invisalign.
Visit Us Today
We would love to take care of your child’s teeth. If you have questions about whether or not your kid’s teeth are normal or if they suffer from dental trauma, please do not wait to visit us. Schedule an appointment with our professional dental team today!