Recognizing Signs Of Oral Health Problems In Children

Introduction

Your child's oral health affects their smile, eating habits, speech, and learning. Oral health problems like tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and misalignment of permanent teeth, threaten these abilities and affect your child's self-esteem. Recognising the signs of oral health problems is crucial to helping you catch and treat them early and keep your child's mouth healthy. Keep reading to discover the common warning signs of oral health problems in children. 

Common signs and symptoms of oral health problems in children 

Oral health problems can cause visible signs in your child's mouth or present symptoms you must be conscious of. Common signs and symptoms to watch out for are discussed below.^1,2,3,4

Discoloured teeth (white spots, brown/black stains)

If your child has black, brown, or white spots or stains on their teeth, it could be due to their medications, poor oral hygiene, or oral health problems like tooth decay (also called dental caries).

Cavities or holes in teeth

Cavities or holes in your child's teeth are a sure sign of something wrong. Cavities are a sign of advancing tooth decay.

Red, swollen, or bleeding gums (gingivitis)

Immediately take your child to the dentist if you notice their gums are reddening, swelling or bleeding. Your child could be injured or have gum disease (periodontal disease).

Loose teeth (not normal shedding)

Children usually start shedding their milk teeth (primary or baby teeth) from age five to six. Take your child to a dentist if you notice a loose tooth earlier than this. They may be shedding early or have an oral health problem such as a tooth or gum injury, gum disease, or tooth decay.

Receding gums

Advanced gum disease causes your child's gums to gradually pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots of the teeth over time.

Visible pus around teeth (dental abscess)

A tooth or gum infection causes pus to accumulate in the tooth or gum. Dental abscess is a sign of advanced tooth decay, gum disease or injury to your child's teeth, gums or mouth.

Pain and discomfort

• Frequent complaints of toothaches: when your child complains of a persistent toothache, you should get their mouth checked out by a dentist 
• Difficulty or pain while chewing or biting: watch out for any sign of discomfort while your child is eating

Sensitivity to hot or cold foods/drinks

Wincing while drinking a cold or hot drink is a sign of the presence of a sensitive tooth. A sensitive tooth is a sign of infection in the mouth or tooth decay.

Persistent bad breath (halitosis)

Bad breath that doesn't go away even after cleaning your child's mouth may indicate an oral health problem. Tooth decay, gum disease and mouth infections can cause bad breath.

Changes in biting or chewing patterns

It may be necessary to investigate why your child suddenly starts:  

• chewing with only the right or left side of their mouth
• chewing soft food for longer than usual
• biting gently on food instead of hard

Changes in your child's biting or chewing pattern may indicate an oral health problem.

Avoiding certain foods

Suddenly, your child starts rejecting food, they usually enjoy, such as ice cream. You should find out why, as it may result from an oral health problem.

Swollen cheek or jaw

Oral health problems can cause painful swelling in your child's cheek or jaw.

Causes of oral health problems in children 

Common causes of oral health problems in children include:^1,5,6,7

Poor oral hygiene

Not properly cleaning your child's mouth encourages bacteria build-up (plaque). Not taking them for regular dental visits can help foster the progression of undetected oral health problems. Poor oral hygiene causes tooth decay and gum disease.

Frequent sugar consumption

Giving your child too much sugary food or drink often and allowing them to hold them in their mouth for an unnecessarily long time damages their teeth. Sugar reacts with plaque to cause tooth decay, leading to tooth loss and infection.

Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and lip sucking

Although it is normal for babies and toddlers to suck their thumb or finger, it becomes a problem when they don't stop this habit as they start to grow permanent teeth. Thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting and lip sucking can affect the position of your child's teeth as they come out, the shape of your child’s jaws and how your child talks.

Poor diet

Poor diet affects a child's overall health and well-being. Specifically, if your child's diet is high in sugar, it can damage their teeth, and if it is low in calcium, they will grow or have weak teeth.

Mouth injury

Children can injure their mouth, teeth, gums or tongue while playing or doing sports without a mouth guard.

Importance of early detection and treatment of oral health problems in children 

Preventing oral health complications and long-term oral health issues in your child 

Catching oral health diseases early ensures early treatment and recovery. This helps prevent any complications that may have occurred if the oral health condition progresses. Complications such as tooth loss can put a dent in your child's self-esteem or confidence and affect their interactions with other children.⁸

Undiagnosed and untreated oral health problems in your child can cause long-term issues such as bad breath, permanent tooth loss, misalignment of permanent teeth (malocclusion) and speech problems. Diagnosing and treating your child's oral health condition early will prevent long-term complications.⁹

Impact on overall health and well-being of your child

Early detection and treatment of oral health problems helps your child maintain a healthy mouth for eating, speaking and smiling. When your child can eat well, they can easily get all the nutrients they need. Proper speech and a beautiful smile boost your child's self-esteem and mental health.⁸

Tips for parents to recognise signs of oral health problems

Regular dental check-ups

Taking your child for regular dental check-ups ensures the dentist notices any oral health problems early. Additionally, the dentist may be able to see signs you may have missed.⁹

Observation of symptoms

• Is your child chewing or biting too gently or slowly?
• Is your child wincing while chewing, biting, or drinking?
• Is your child suddenly chewing with one side of their mouth?
• Are there unusual changes in your child's mouth — teeth, tongue, gums, inner cheeks, the roof of the mouth, and under the tongue?
• Has your child suddenly started rejecting food, or drinks they usually enjoy before?

Watch your child to become attuned to their eating, drinking and speaking behaviours. This will help you spot any unusual behaviour when they do these activities. 

Communication with your child about oral health

Talk to your child about oral hygiene and oral health. Encourage them to always tell you about what goes on in their mouth. Ask them about any unusual changes you notice in their mouth or eating behaviour.

Childhood oral health problems prevention and management tips for parents 

Practising good oral hygiene for your child 

Practising good oral hygiene for your child involves:^1,5,8,9,10

• cleaning your baby's mouth after feeding them
• brushing your child's teeth twice daily — before they go to bed at night and at any other time during the day — with an appropriate toothbrush and quantity of fluoride toothpaste 
• feeding your child sugary food or drinks, including honey, syrups and fruit juices, moderately and making water the frequent drink of choice
• ensuring your child doesn't hold sugary food or drinks in their mouth for too long
• ensuring you don't put your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or a sugary drink in their mouth
• thoroughly cleaning any dental device your child may be using
• taking your child for regular dental check-ups starting from when they get their first baby tooth
• addressing any sign of oral health problems promptly
• helping your child stop thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and lip sucking when they don't stop by themselves as their permanent teeth start to come out 
• ensuring your child uses a mouth guard during sports activities that can endanger their mouth

Practising good oral hygiene for your child and teaching them to practise it will help prevent oral health diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease and infections.

Balanced diet and nutrition

A balanced diet provides your child with all the nutrients they need to grow healthy and robust, including calcium, an essential nutrient for strong teeth and infection-fighting nutrients (immune-boosting nutrients).¹

Ensure your child eats a balanced diet at every stage of their life under your care. For example, your newborn should be exclusively breastfed until their sixth month or use a baby formula when breastmilk is unavailable. At this stage, aside from medications and supplements prescribed by a doctor, this is all the food and drink they need.^11,12

Seeking professional help when necessary

Take your child to see a dentist when you notice unusual changes in your child's mouth or when they complain of persistent discomfort such as toothache or pain when eating.⁹

When to see a dentist

It is crucial to take your child to the dentist when you notice any persistent signs or symptoms of oral health problems or any other unusual changes in your child's mouth. You should also take your child for regular check-ups recommended by the dentist.⁹

Summary 

It is important to recognise the signs of oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease in your child to promote early detection, treatment, and recovery, prevent long-term complications, and maintain overall health and wellness. See a dentist immediately if you notice any disturbing signs mentioned in this article, practise good oral hygiene, and maintain regular dental visits as the dentist recommends.