3 Indicators Your Child Needs To See A Pediatric Dentist

24 May 2021
 Categories: Dentist, Blog


As a responsible parent, you need to safeguard your child's health. A good place to start is ensuring that you never ignore their dental care needs. However, this is not easy now that dental health is something most kids don't take seriously. The good news is that some signs can help you know when your child needs to see a children's dentist. Read on to find out more.

1. Dental Pain 

Pain is a reflex mechanism that the body uses to signify that not all is well. The primary cause of dental pain in kids is exposure or infection of the pulp, a section of the teeth that contains nerves and blood vessels. This usually results from cavities, a term used to refer to holes that form in the teeth. 

Poor dental hygiene is the major reason children develop cavities. Food contains starch and sugar, which bacteria feed on and produce acids strong enough to erode enamel. As you are perhaps aware, enamel is the strong outer layer that keeps teeth protected. 

There's no need to worry if your kid has cavities. That's because a pediatric dentist can remove the decayed sections and replace them with filling. That way, food debris won't lodge in the teeth, which helps stop the decay responsible for causing the pain. 

2. Painful Loose Teeth 

It is normal for children to lose their milk teeth to allow the growth of permanent ones. This happens gradually. The teeth loosen with time, and it doesn't take long before they fall out. 

However, you have reason to worry if the loosening is accompanied by unbearable pain because this suggests that there's an underlying infection. Failure to consult a competent pediatric dentist right away can make the infection spread, causing other issues like tooth decay. 

3. Change in Teeth Color

Teeth are naturally white, meaning that there's a problem if your child's teeth have unordinary colors such as black or gray. Dental trauma that causes a tooth to bleed from inside can cause discoloration. Excess fluoride is also known to cause teeth discoloration, a condition known as dental fluorosis. 

Whatever is causing your kid's teeth to change color, an experienced pediatric dentist can offer an effective solution. For instance, the dentist might recommend teeth whitening treatment. You might also be advised to get your child fluoride-free toothpaste to prevent the problem from recurring. 

It is easy to tell when your child should visit a pediatric dentist. Among the key signs to look out for are dental pain, painful loose teeth, and a change in teeth color.


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