Dental diseases quite often affect even the smallest children. This is natural, because the enamel and gums of babies are still too weak to withstand various negative influences. In addition, there are many factors that aggravate the condition of children's teeth. This includes unlimited consumption of sweets, and insufficient oral hygiene, and low intake of vitamins.
In this article, estet-portal invites you to review the most common childhood oral diseases and talk about their causes, symptoms and treatment.
Causes, symptoms and treatment of caries in milk teeth
Caries – the most common oral disease. In childhood, it affects the teeth much faster, developing in a very short period of time. The main reasons for the development of caries are:
- high consumption of carbohydrates, especially sugar;
- non-compliance with the rules of oral hygiene;
- improper or prolonged use of pacifiers and nipples;
- high acidity;
- vitamin deficiency.
Like any other dental disease, caries develops in several stages:
- The first signs of the development of caries is the appearance of a chalky spot. At this stage, the affected area of the tooth becomes lighter. The reason for this is the partial destruction of the enamel. The child does not feel pain at this stage. In some cases, there is an increase in the sensitivity of the affected tooth.
- At the second stage, caries begins to destroy the enamel more strongly. The damaged area darkens and becomes sensitive.
- The third stage is characterized by partial destruction of the enamel-dentin junction. During this period, the child begins to experience pain more and more often.
- At the fourth stage, caries damages the peripulpal dentin. A child's tooth begins to hurt almost constantly.
Without proper treatment, deep caries provokes pulpitis, periodontitis and periostitis – fairly severe dental diseases that can lead to complications in childhood.
Caries in the early stages is treated quickly and almost painlessly: the chalk stain is not removed, and the damaged area is treated with a special solution that prevents the destruction of enamel. If caries has moved to the second stage, then most likely it will not be possible to do without filling.
Certainly, it is much easier to prevent children's caries than to cure it. In order to avoid decay of baby teeth, parents should:
- Help your child maintain proper oral hygiene.
- Ensure a balanced diet containing a minimum of sugary and bland foods.
- Monitor the condition of the baby's teeth and if plaque or chalky spots appear, be sure to visit the dentist.
Pulpitis is a common childhood disease. Symptoms, causes and treatment
Pulpitis is called inflammation of the pulp – connective tissue that is inside the teeth. This disease often worries children, since the connective tissues and dentin of milk teeth are much weaker than those of permanent teeth.
Pulpitis in milk teeth is slightly different from pulp inflammation in adults. The fact is that the structure of milk teeth allows the disease to spread many times faster and, at the same time, almost painlessly. This feature does not always allow parents to notice the disease at an early stage, allowing pulpitis to destroy most of the tooth.
There are many reasons for the development of pulpitis of milk teeth:
- reduced immunity;
- weakened enamel;
- infection:
- injury;
- caries;
- Incorrect dental treatment.
The symptoms of pulpitis depend on its form:
- The acute form of the disease is characterized by severe pain that occurs from any, even the slightest touch.
- Chronic pulpitis is characterized by relatively mild and rare pains and the appearance of an unpleasant, putrid odor from the mouth and swelling of the gums.
Treatment of pulpitis consists in the removal of the damaged part of the tooth and filling. Modern pediatric dentists are increasingly resorting to the use of general anesthesia, since this approach allows you to perform all the necessary procedures absolutely painlessly for the child.
Aphthae in a child: symptoms, causes and treatment
Quite often, small white sores cover the inner surface of the cheek or lips of the baby, which cause pain while eating or talking. These bubbles are called aphthae.
The causes of aphthae can be:
- allergic reaction to food;
- compromised immunity;
- certain infections and viruses.
Usually, aphthae disappear after one week, but in some cases they can be bothered for about ten days.
By themselves, aphthae do not harm the child's body, but the appearance of sores usually indicates the development of a particular disease in the child. That is why, having noticed aphthae in a child, parents should consult a doctor and conduct an examination in order to identify the cause of the disease in time.
Treatment of aphthae should first of all be aimed at combating the cause of the appearance of sores – allergies, infectious or viral diseases. In addition, during the treatment, the doctor may prescribe wiping the affected areas with peach, sea buckthorn or rosehip oil, as well as pain relief.
Causes, symptoms and treatment of thrush in a child
Quite often in the first year of life, a child may notice whitish dots on the palate, cheeks, inner lips or tongue. Over time, these formations merge together and look like a continuous plaque.
This disease is called thrush. It is provoked by yeast-like fungi, which are an integral part of the microflora of the body. Under the influence of various factors, yeast-like fungi can manifest their pathogenic properties. These factors include:
- infectious and viral diseases;
- low acidity;
- prematurity;
- non-compliance with the rules of oral hygiene;
- trauma to the oral cavity;
- taking antibiotics.
As in the previous case, the treatment of thrush is to eliminate its cause. Parents need to pay attention to the observance of the rules of hygiene of the child, reduce the number of antibiotics and provide a complete diet. In addition, the doctor should prescribe a vitamin complex that will strengthen the baby's immunity.
As you can see, there are many oral diseases that can cause discomfort to the baby. In order to avoid and prevent them, parents should listen to the complaints of the baby, carefully monitor his diet and pay great attention to hygiene. On estet-portal.com you will find a lot of useful articles that will help you notice the first manifestations of childhood diseases and treat them in time.
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