Dental health is essential to the general well-being of your kids. Neglect on oral health can result in gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. In addition, it is sometimes associated with diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Learning dental hygiene habits like flossing, brushing, and limiting sugar intake helps avoid expensive dental health issues that could emerge later. Therefore, your child's oral health is vital. This guide shares some signs of deteriorating oral health requiring the attention of a pediatric dentist. 

Persistent Pain or Toothaches

When your kid complains of tooth or mouth pain, schedule an appointment with a dentist for a checkup. Pain is usually a signal to communicate that something is wrong. In most cases, toothache results from a tooth nerve that has become irritated. The nerves can suffer damage due to decay, infection, tooth loss, or injury. The pain can also be caused by tooth extraction. The dentist will diagnose the underlying issue and address it through an examination. 

Brown and White spots on the teeth

White spots and lesions on the teeth are early signs of decay. These spots can be due to the teeth's overexposure to fluoride, thinning of the enamel, lack of essential minerals on your teeth, poor dental hygiene, and taking diets low in calcium. Sometimes, the white spots can disappear depending on the cause and after treatment. 

On the other hand, brown spots on the teeth are an early warning of developing tooth decay. They require the immediate attention of a pediatric dentist. Other symptoms accompanied by the brown spots include sensitivity, bad breath, and tooth pain. Severe tooth decay can cause gingivitis if not treated in time.

Irritating Gums

Gum irritation in your child can result from infections or burns from hot food. Though applying excessive pressure when brushing is perceived to give better results, it irritates the gums and can lead to serious infections. Brushing requires gentle pressure. Other causes of teeth irritation in your child can be using homemade whitening treatments, food choices like crunchy food types, and improper flossing methods.

Loose Teeth

As your child grows, they will start losing their milk teeth and develop permanent teeth. But if the permanent teeth start becoming wiggly, it is time to see your pediatric dentist. Loose teeth can result from trauma to the mouth or an oral infection. 

It is advisable to take your kids for dental checkups every six months. Dental care and hygiene are essential in detecting teeth problems early and taking the appropriate intervention in time. Contact a dentist near you to learn more.