Common Dental Diseases in Children
By: Manisha Asrani
Childhood is a time filled with adventure, exploration, and growth. However, these years of discovery are also home to the occasional dental problem — a climb on the jungle gym could end in a broken tooth, or a missed spot of plaque could result in a cavity. Many of a kid’s dental problems are the same ones that affect adults, but children’s teeth are still developing, and they’re softer and younger than their permanent successors. Untreated dental conditions can cause poor and misaligned tooth development, leading to more serious problems as a child grows up.
One of the most common behaviors associated with childhood is thumb-sucking. For some children, this habit begins in the womb. Comforting and instinctive, thumb-sucking isn’t a cause for worry in most cases and will fade away by the time a kid is two or three. However, thumb-sucking can disrupt the normal oral development, affecting teeth alignment and the roof of the mouth. The intensity of the sucking determines the extent of the damage — strong thumb-sucking can cause damage to both their baby and adult teeth.
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions across the United States. According to the CDC, 20 percent of children from the ages of five to 11 have at least one untreated decayed or decaying tooth, and 13 percent of adolescents have the same problem. A decaying tooth is caused by certain types of bacteria that live and thrive in the mouth. A sticky, film-like buildup of bacteria called plaque perpetually accumulates on teeth. If exposed to the right type of foods, plaque will produce acids and eat away at a tooth’s enamel, or the hard outer surface of the teeth. The stickiness of the plaque keeps the acids in constant contact with the surface of the tooth, gradually decaying the tooth. The good news is that tooth decay is a preventable condition. Proper brushing techniques and regular visits to a dentist will significantly reduce the chance of a child developing tooth decay.
Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding is a common condition among school-aged children — two or three out of ten kids will grind or clench their teeth. Sometimes a child develops bruxism because their top teeth aren’t aligned with their bottom teeth. Another reason could be in response to pain — just as you rub a sore muscle, some children will grind their teeth as a result of pain, like teething or an earache. It can also be a sign that a kid is experiencing stress or hyperactivity. If the habit persists, it can gradually wear away permanent and primary teeth, resulting in muscular or dental pain. Headaches can also accompany teeth grinding, and the deterioration of tooth enamel can lead to chipped and sensitive teeth. Devices like night guards can help keep a child from grinding their teeth as they sleep.
These are three of the most common dental diseases a child may face. However, there are many more, but a child should be sure to practice effective dental cleaning habits in order to prevent them.
WORK CITED:
“Children’s Oral Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Apr. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/childrens-oral-health/index.html#:~:text=Cavities%20
“Dental Problems in Children: Tongue Thrusting, Thumbsucking, and More.” WebMD, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/oral-health-problems-children.
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