Typically kids are much more relative. For example, if you were to ask an adult patient where the pain was, they could give you an exact place. The same holds true for questions like how long ago the pain started and how acute it is. For a child, the irritation is in their mouth, and that is often all they can tell you. Answers to questions like when the pain started depend on the parents ability to answer much of the time. Also, there is the intimidation factor. When it comes to children, there is often a fear associated with going to the dentist. Being in a strange place, surrounded by people in white coats, and with all of the unknown dental equipment, is enough to worry a child who was already nervous. As someone specializing in treating children, we know how to help them to relax so that they can enjoy their visit and tell us what is wrong in the first place.
Cavities in Children
At a kids dentist, the number one thing we treat is cavities. This is because children love sweets, and the bacteria that causes decay loves sugar and starch. For parents, you should know how cavities work and more importantly how you can prevent them.
Bacteria, of all kinds, lives in the human mouth. This bacteria will attempt to colonize the teeth, and in the process will cover your or your child's teeth with a thin film that is known as plaque. Left without cleaning, plaque quickly builds up and can do extensive damage to young teeth. The bacteria inside of the plaque secrete acid. The flow of this acid increases when the bacteria are exposed to its favorite foods, sugar and starch. These acids then wash over the teeth, gradually eating away at the enamel until they form a hole. This is a cavity, which will lead to your child needing an appointment with our kids dentist office. Unchecked cavities can cause discomfort, will grow larger, spread, and even lead to some gum diseases. It is important that you come in and have your child's cavity filled as soon as you know it is there. Often, we will catch a cavity during a routine, twice yearly, examination that you bring your children in for.
The most common way that you can tell that there is something wrong with your child's teeth is sensitivity. Children experience sensitivity in their teeth before anything major happens. When your child starts to complain about not being able to bite into hot, cold, or sweet, you may want to start considering bringing them in for an examination, as tooth sensitivity in children is often an indicator of a deeper underlying problem.
