The Most Common Dental Problems in Children: Causes & Prevention
posted on Mar 04, 2024
Gurukul The School, recognized as one of the top schools in Ghaziabad, believe oral health is critical for children’s overall well-being.
Children suffer from dental problems due to several different reasons. Poor oral hygiene practices, such as improper brushing and inadequate flossing lead to dental problems such as cavities and gum diseases aka gingivitis. Other common dental problems include malocclusion, thumb sucking, ECC, Dental Trauma, Enamel Hypoplasia, Bruxism, Dental Abscess, and Orthodontic Issues.
We at Gurukul The School, recognized as one of the best school in Ghaziabad, believe oral health is critical for children’s overall well-being. This is why children need an introduction to good oral habits at an early age so that dental issues do not crop up during their adulthood. We all know that healthy teeth and gums make proper chewing possible, aid speech development, and ascertain improved self-esteem. Likewise, early detection and treatment of dental problems help prevent pain and potential complications. So, today, in this blog post, we will shed light on the causes and preventive techniques that need to be adopted to address the aforementioned dental problems. Read on.
Causes of Dental Problems in Children
We at Gurukul The School believe that the first step to bidding goodbye to dental problems is understanding the possible causes behind this problem taking center stage. This is something we are trying to teach to our students as well.
So, one of the first contributors to dental problems in children is Poor Oral Hygiene. This is a result of improper brushing and flossing, which ultimately leads to a build-up of plaque and bacteria, the triggers behind tooth decay and gum diseases.
Besides this, the consumption of foods that are high in sugar such as candies, sodas, and fruit juices also become responsible for tooth decay.
Another less-known contributor to dental problems in children is mouth breathing, which leads to dry mouth by reducing the saliva production in the mouth, and eventually increases the risk of cavities and gum diseases.
Speaking about children’s dental health, we can seldom overlook the contribution of fluoride, which acts as a game changer in improving children’s oral health. This also means lack of fluoride is responsible for poor oral health. Fluoride has a substantial contribution to the strengthening of the tooth enamel and prevention of cavities. Children, who do not receive enough fluoride, either through water fluoridation or dental products, end up experiencing increased exposure to dental problems.
Yet another less talked about cause of dental problems in children is genetics. This means that at times children are exposed to dental issues such as misaligned teeth and weak enamel right from birth. However, the same can be addressed subsequently.
Moreover, a condition called ECC, i.e., Early Childhood Caries, is also found to be often responsible for dental problems in infants and young children. This is a result of baby formula and milk lingering in children's mouths for a long time.
How to Prevent Dental Problems in Children?
We just attempted to list out some common causes of dental problems in children in the section above. Let us now look at preventive measures that can be adopted to give these dental worries a tough fight.
First and foremost, introducing children to healthier habits is key to keeping dental issues at bay. The most basic is to teach children to breathe through their nose instead of the mouth. Likewise, if your child has a habit of thumb-sucking or using the pacifier way beyond infancy, these habits need to be addressed as well.
Similarly, motivating children to brush twice a day and floss once a day is crucial. Here again, it is recommended to use a fluoride-rich toothpaste. Children also need to be supervised during brushing hours.
Yet another less-known dental health pro solution is water consumption. Children should be motivated to stay hydrated as increased water consumption ensures that food particles and bacteria do not stay in the mouth for long.
Besides these, limiting the consumption of sugary foods is something very important for the prevention of dental problems. Instead, having a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is beneficial.
Dental sealants are another effective solution that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. These thin protective coatings aid chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Last, but not least comes leading by example. As adults in the family, parents and other elders must follow appropriate dental oral hygiene habits. It becomes easier for children to idolize adults and follow in their footsteps.
Dental Education is Crucial for Children and Parents Alike!
WHO Global Oral Health Status Report 2022 has stated that 2 million people globally suffer from caries of permanent teeth. Out of this, 514 million are children, who experience cavities of the primary teeth.
These alarming numbers call for immediate attention, and this makes dental education and awareness a must for all. After all, only when you know the root causes of dental issues and the appropriate preventive measures for them, can you adopt the right practices to end all your dental health woes.
At Gurukul The School, one of the top schools in Ghaziabad, we realize the vitality of healthy oral health, which is why we make it a point to be vocal with our students and their parents about this subject. We already have on-campus dental check-ups a vital part of the school's deliverables too. But we strongly believe that prevention is better than cure, and this is exactly why we thought of coming up with this post!