Dental conditions Common dental issues in children and teenagers. How can dental conditions be treated?

As parents, our role is to help children maintain their dental health and educate them about the importance of a proper oral hygiene routine that will protect them from dental problems.

Regular brushing, using dental floss, and professional checkups at the dental clinic are the recipe for good oral health.

It is a mistake to think that baby teeth do not require proper care because they will eventually be replaced. Temporary teeth guide the eruption of permanent teeth, allow for the harmonious development of facial muscles, and help form the jawbones.

Thus, if baby teeth and young permanent teeth are not properly cleaned, various dental problems can occur.

List of the most common dental conditions in children and teenagers

To protect their oral health, it’s important to know the most common dental problems in children and teenagers and how they can be treated.

When discussing dental issues in children, we should not only think of demineralization or cavities but also more serious problems, such as malocclusions or early tooth loss, which require orthodontic treatments to correct.

Here are the most common dental issues in children and teenagers that require prompt intervention from a pediatric dentist or orthodontic specialist.

Dental demineralization
A common dental issue in children is the demineralization of the tooth enamel.

Demineralization is the first sign of a cavity and can be identified as white, chalky spots on the surface of the teeth.

This process can affect both baby teeth and young permanent teeth, primarily caused by plaque buildup due to inadequate oral hygiene. However, demineralization can also have genetic causes or be linked to health issues (such as vitamin D or phosphorus deficiencies or mouth breathing).

Since demineralization is an early stage of tooth decay, it’s essential to visit the dentist regularly from a young age so they can identify this issue and intervene promptly.

Treatment for demineralization consists of applying fluoride gels or creams locally and recommending toothpaste with a higher fluoride content.

Regular professional cleanings at the dental clinic are also crucial for removing plaque and protecting the enamel.

Dental cavities
According to specialists (AI AICI UN LINK), dental cavities are the most common chronic disease in childhood worldwide. Cavities are five times more common than asthma, four times more common than childhood obesity, and 20 times more common than diabetes.

When discussing cavities in children, it’s important to distinguish between bottle cavities and those caused by poor oral hygiene, lack of dental care, or an improper diet.

Early childhood cavities or “bottle cavities”
Bottle cavities, also known as “early childhood cavities” or “early caries,” occur when a child has one or more decayed teeth, fillings before the age of six, or loses teeth prematurely due to carious lesions.

In infants, bottle cavities usually follow a characteristic pattern of development. They first affect the upper incisors, then the upper molars, and later the lower ones. The progression of bottle cavities depends on the eruption of baby teeth and eating habits.

The primary cause of this dental problem in children is the interaction between oral bacteria and sugary or fermentable products, with lactic acid eroding the tooth enamel.

Delaying a visit to the pediatric dentist will only worsen the carious lesions, affecting not only the child’s oral health but also their overall health. The infection can spread through the bloodstream to other organs or affect markers such as ESR and ASLO, reducing the body’s immunity.

What can be done to prevent bottle cavities:

• Guide bone growth
• Do not let the child play with the bottle
• Avoid excessive consumption of sugary foods
• Ensure oral hygiene even before the first teeth emerge by cleaning the gums with a cloth after each meal

Cavities on baby teeth or young permanent teeth
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), dental cavities are considered a public health risk in both developing and developed countries. This dental condition can start as early as when the first teeth appear, around six months of age, and progress within 1-2 months, causing significant pain and discomfort for the child.

AAPD recommends the first dental visit around the age of one or shortly after the first teeth emerge.

Cavities are caused by acids produced by bacteria that feed on food particles left on the teeth due to a lack of regular brushing. If left untreated, the lesions can rapidly progress to deep cavities that affect the tooth pulp.

If cavities are detected early, there is a risk that the root of the permanent tooth may be affected, leading to early tooth loss.

The treatment of cavities in children and teenagers is complex and depends on several factors, such as:

• The child’s age
• The severity of the carious lesions
• The presence of other complications

Depending on the stage of the lesion, the dentist may recommend fluoride treatments, dental sealants after treating the initial lesion, fillings, or even crowns if the tooth is extensively affected. Additionally, the pediatric dentist will provide recommendations for maintaining good oral hygiene in the long term.

Dental abscess
A dental abscess is a relatively common dental condition in children and teenagers. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of an infected tooth or in the gums.

Among the types of abscesses, gingival abscesses are the most common. Typically, the abscess starts from a dental cavity and spreads to the gums.

If left untreated, the infection can spread beyond the jaw to the neck, head, or other parts of the body, seriously affecting the overall health.

Therefore, it is crucial to see the pediatric dentist promptly for treatment.

Early or late loss of baby teeth
Early loss of baby teeth is another common dental issue in children.

Naturally, baby teeth begin to fall out around the age of six, with the process being completed by 10-12 years old. If teeth are lost prematurely, around the age of 4, or late, around 7-8 years old, children may face orthodontic problems.

Baby teeth maintain space for the permanent teeth, so their early loss can lead to shifting of the remaining teeth and crowding. Similarly, if baby teeth fall too late, permanent teeth may erupt crooked.

Malocclusions
Crooked or crowded teeth are actually forms of dental malocclusion, a type of orthodontic condition that requires treatment with braces, either removable (trainers) or fixed (brackets).

Because they do not align properly, crowded or crooked teeth are harder to clean, increasing the risk of cavities, especially interdental cavities, even with proper home brushing.

Underbite and overbite are other common types of malocclusions in children and teenagers.

Vertical overbite means that the upper front teeth extend much further than the lower ones, while reverse occlusion is diagnosed when the lower front teeth extend forward, or the upper ones are set far back.

Malocclusions can only be identified by an orthodontist, who will prescribe treatments to correct these dental issues. The orthodontist will decide on the treatment plan based on the patient’s age, general health, and the severity of the condition.

The importance of oral hygiene in preventing dental issues

As parents, it is within our power to help our children understand the importance of keeping their teeth clean and healthy, and the DENT ESTET 4 KIDS team is ready to support you at every stage of your child’s development.

With the help of our specialized doctors and a child-friendly environment, you can encourage your child to get comfortable with visiting the dental office.

Early education on the importance of proper oral hygiene will turn your child into a responsible adult who will enjoy good oral health and general well-being in the long term.