You must visit the Child Dental Center (CDC) in your locality because these are dental clinics run by dentist having specialized training for oral health issues relating to children. Please understand that poor oral health can limit a child's development and participation in life activities.
It is important to understand what is tooth decay, because it affects your child's growth, results in significant pain and diminish overall quality of life.
Dental caries is a common chronic infectious transmissible disease resulting from tooth- adherent specific bacteria, primarily mutans streptococci (MS) that metabolize sugars to produce acid which, over time, demineralizes tooth structure.
Germs + Carbohydrates = Acid
Dental caries results from an interaction between oral flora and dietary carbohydrates on the tooth surface. Oral flora utilizes dietary sugars to create a sticky biofilm that is referred to as dental plaque.Acids produced by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates reduce the pH of dental plaque to the point at which demineralization of the enamel occurs.
The initial carious lesion appears as an opaque white spot on the enamel. These white spots can quickly become dark (yellow-brown) cavities (within 30 days) if not treated timely by a dentist.
Get your child's teeth checked once a month for white spots at CDC.
All children should be taken to the Child Dental Centre (CDC) regularly for a full clinical examination by a dentist. Dental caries is a disease that generally is preventable.
Periodontal disease or gingivitis is characterized by the presence of gingival inflammation without detectable loss of bone. Normal and abnormal fluctuation in hormone levels, including changes in gonadotrophic hormone levels during the onset of puberty, increases the gingival's response to plaque. Similarly, alterations in insulin levels in patients with diabetes can affect gingival health.
Gingivitis is a reversible disease. Early diagnosis at Child Dental Center (CDC) ensures successful treatment.
Discolored tooth or teeth seriously affects adolescents. Teeth can discolor due to intake of drinks, beverages, fluorosis, traumatic pulpal changes, white spots or tetracycline staining. The dentist at CDC will conduct an initial professional examination to help identify causes of discoloration and treatment.
Clinical examination by dentists at CDC will help in diagnosis of the following:-
These abnormalities in the developing dentition cause malocclusion, dental crowding, ectopic eruption, impaction, obstruction sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), oligodontia, oral habits, posterior cross- bite and tooth size/arch length discrepancy.
The habits of non-nutritive sucking, bruxing, tongue thrust swallow and abnormal tongue position, self- injurious/self-mutilating behavior, and airway obstruction (OSAS) apply forces to the teeth and dentoalveolar structures.
If the child continues habits with frequency, over a duration, and intensity -- results in deformation of dentoalveolar or skeleton. This can be open bite, protruded teeth, increased over-jet, reduced overbite, posterior crossbite, or long facial height.
Non-nutritive sucking is considered normal in infants or young children. Visit CDC for guidance to help your child to stop by age 36 months or younger.
Bruxism an occur while awake or asleep due to emotional stress, para-somnias, traumatic brain injury, neurologic disabilities and (morphologic factors) eg, malocclusion. This results in dental attrition, headaches, temporomandibular dysfunction and soreness of the masticatory muscles. Dentists at CDC will educate both the patient/parent, provide occlusal splints or psychological techniques or medications as needed.
Tongue thrusting is associated with anterior open bite, abnormal speech, seek advise and treatment from dentist at CDC.
Self-injurious or self-mutilating behavior (ie, repetitive acts that result in physical damage to the individual) is extremely rare in the normal child. Such behavior, however, has been associated with mental retardation, psychiatric disorders, developmental disabilities, and some syndromes. Visit CDC for treatment options for developmentally disabled individuals which can include pharmacologic management, behavior modification, and physical restraint. Dentist may suggest lip-bumper and occlusal bite appliances, protective padding, or extractions at CDC.
Malocclusion results in mouth breathing which increases facial height, anterior open bite, increased overjet, and narrow palate.
Obstruction sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is linked to narrow maxilla, cross-bite, low tongue position, vertical growth, and open bite. If your child snores, has a restless sleep, day-time neurobehavioral abnormalities or sleepiness, or bed-wetting visit CDC for advise regarding consequences of a habit.
Traumatic injures on the face (fractures, displaced, or lost teeth) have negative functional, esthetic, and psychological effects on children. The maximum number of traumatic injuries (primary teeth) occurs at 2 to 3 years of age, when motor coordination is developing. Permanent teeth can suffer injuries due to falls, accidents, violence or sports.
Physical AbuseIf you suspect that your child has suffered from physical abuse visit CDC. Intra-oral and peri-oral examination by the dentist at CDC will certify craniofacial, head, face or neck injuries. Signs of burns, or lacerations of the tongue, lips, buccal mucosa, palate (soft and hard), gingiva, alveolar mucosa, or frenum; fractured, displaced, or avulsed teeth; or facial bone and jaw fractures will signify to abuse.
Discolored teeth may be result from previous trauma. Gags applied to the mouth may result in bruises, lichenification, or scarring at the corners of the mouth. Unintentional or accidental injuries, injuries in different stages of healing will arouse a suspicion of abuse.
Your child MUST visit CDC for Healthy Teeth for a Lifetime.
