Does Your Child Need Restorative Dentistry? Part Two

Posted April 8, 2016

Are you concerned that your child may be struggling with a dental issue, like a cavity or even an infection? It can sometimes be hard for parents to determine if their children are suffering from dental issues, because many kids are not great at communicating when there is a change to their teeth or gums. Fortunately, there are some common warning signs you can watch for, as a parent, to determine if your kids’ smiles are staying healthy. Just remember, if you do suspect there is a dental problem, it is best to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist, who can help restore your kid’s smile in the case of an issue.

How Do You Know If There’s A Problem?

Sometimes kids will volunteer dental symptoms. Other times you may have to ask how their teeth and gums are feeling. Here are a few more key questions to help determine if your child might be struggling with a dental problem, like a cavity.

1. Do You See Blood While Flossing?

Many kids, and adults alike, believe that bleeding gums while flossing is a sign that they are brushing or flossing too hard. However, in most cases this is a sign of unhealthy gum tissue, often due to gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.

If your child mentions bleeding, or if you see it while supervising their daily dental care, schedule a dental appointment. Your child might simply need a dental checkup and cleaning to help remove plaque buildup, which can cause inflammation of the gums. In some cases, however, more extensive cleaning could be necessary to restore the gums’ health.

2. Are You Avoiding Certain Foods or Drinks?

Whether your kid points it out to your or not, most parents notice sudden changes in their children’s diet. Since cavities often hurt most when a person is consuming sugar (or hot or cold foods or drinks) if you notice your kid avoiding these kind of items, it could be because of a dental problem.

While dentists do recommend patients stick to diets low in sugar and starchy foods, if your kid has made sudden changes to his or her diet, without indicating a desire to make healthier choices, this could be a warning sign that he or she is experiencing discomfort while chewing.