Dental Issues That Can Be Stopped Before They Affect The Future Look Of Your Child's Teeth

If you are concerned about the future appearance of your child's teeth, you may be surprised to learn that you have a fair amount of control over how your youngster's teeth will look in the future. There are multiple dental health issues that can be avoided or stopped before they affect the future look of your child's teeth. Here are a few of them:

Dental Decay

Dental decay occurs when acid from food sources or oral bacteria demineralize the teeth to cause the formation of cavities. Small to moderate cavities can often be treated by a filling or capped with a dental crown. These may have little impact on the way your child's teeth will look in the future. However, large cavities can be so severe that they necessitate extraction.

Once your child's tooth is extracted, even if it is a primary tooth, the removal can affect your child's dental alignment. Each tooth in your youngster's mouth serves as a placeholder and prevents adjacent teeth from wandering from their proper position. However, once a tooth is lost, there is extra room to allow nearby teeth to migrate and cause dental misalignment.

To help your child avoid dental decay, encourage the following:

• Gum Chewing- As your child chews sugarless gum, plaque and food are pulled from the teeth. In addition, chewing the gum causes the mouth to secrete more saliva, which neutralizes decay-causing acid in the mouth.
• Water Rinsing- Even though a toothbrush may not be handy, if your child rinses with water periodically during the day, especially after meals, the youngster can dilute oral acid and rinse away particles of food. 
• Using a Fluoride Mouth Rinse- In addition to brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, using a fluoride mouthwash can also help your child avoid tooth decay. The fluoride can help make your youngster's teeth more resistant to decay.

Thumb Sucking

If your child sucks his or her thumb, the youngster may eventually cause the teeth to have a bucked, gapped appearance. As the thumb places pressure on the upper palate, it can change the palate's structure. 

To discourage thumb sucking before permanent issues occur, try the following:

• Coat the thumb with a bitter substance.
• Wrap the thumb in a bandage.
• Offer gum to occupy the child's mouth.
• Praise the child whenever he or she avoids sucking for a significant period.

To learn more ways to help your child's teeth remain looking their best, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area. Contact a clinic like Family Dentistry Of Brick, PA to learn more.