What dental problems could my child have?
Pediatric Dentistry – Westerly, Rhode IslandSome dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is baby bottle tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle (or breast) too long. Another problem is gum disease. About 40% of children 2-3 years old have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues or gingivitis. Oral habits (such as thumb-sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly and feel good about his or her appearance.
Approximately 80% of Down syndrome children will have one of these dental problems: • Your child could get his baby and adult teeth later than other children. • Teeth could appear in a different sequence and positions when compared with other children. • The teeth are often are rounded, pointed or cone-shaped. • The teeth are often smaller and therefore there could be gaps in between them. • They have fewer teeth. • The top jaw is narrow, the tongue appears too big for the mouth and the teeth may be pushed out of place, as the child grows older. • Because of difficulty in breathing through the nose, the child often develops a habit of breathing through the mouth. This leads to a dry mouth with increased chances of dry lips, fungal infections, ulcers, and gum problems (see no. 9.) Father’s Journal Tonight I can write -Pablo Neruda (1904-73) After swimming class, my one-year-old son played with a pinecone: scribbled on the sidewalk, then combed my hair.
Some dental problems begin early in life. Early childhood caries also called Baby bottle tooth decay, is a serious problem due to being put to sleep with the bottle or breast and ad lib feeding. Oral habits such as thumbsucking and pacifier use should be checked, as it can affect the growth of the jaws.
Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is baby bottle tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle (or breast) too long. Another problem is gum disease. About 40% of children 2-3 years old have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues. Oral habits (such as thumb-sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly and feel good about his or her appearance.
