Many people neglect to realize that a child’s oral health can
affect their overall health. There is a large misconception that cavities in
primary (baby) teeth don’t need to be treated since they eventually fall out
and are replaced by permanent (adult) teeth. But did you know, when a child has
cavities they are actually more susceptible to infections in other parts of
their bodies?
It has been noted that kids with cavities are prone to
infections of the ears and sinuses as well. Overall, having unhealthy primary
teeth unleashes a whole slew of possible problems for your child:
- Due to dental discomfort children have reported trouble sleeping and poor school performance due to the inability to concentrate.
- Tooth decay can cause difficulty chewing and in turn can lead to a decreased appetite. Being that children are constantly growing they need a good appetite for both physical and mental growth.
- If the cavity becomes large and the tooth is deemed un-restorable, it may need to be extracted or removed, thus increasing the chance of speech articulation difficulties. Missing teeth can also lead to low self-esteem or social ostracism.
- When a baby tooth has a significant infection it is possible that the permanent tooth erupts out of proper position. When this occurs there is an increased risk of gum disease and an increase chance that the child will need orthodontics (braces).
One of the reasons we are seeing an increase in dental decay
is that children are not seeing the dentist early enough. Baby teeth can develop decay from the very
moment they erupt into the mouth at about 6 months old. That is why the first exam is recommended by
12 months of age. We hope you now
realize just how important infant oral health is, and how crucial the age 1
dental visit is.
Help
your child start positive oral health from their very first tooth. Call
us to schedule your appointment 631-360-PEDS (7337)!
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