Kids Teeth Problems – Ensure Your Child's Healthy Smile

There’s a lot that goes into preventative oral care for children. As they grow, the changes in their mouth can be significant and affect their speech, ability to chew properly and even their self-esteem.

At Lakeside Dental Studio, we partner with parents to prevent kids teeth problems and ensure your children have a healthy smile for life.

Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

We encourage you to bring your child to our practise as soon as their first tooth erupts or around their first birthday so we can introduce ourselves and they get exposed to the dental surgery.

Then you can schedule six-month appointments for check-ups. This enables us to start charting their oral health development. It also allows them to get used to coming to see us and having a fun experience, making potential visits for dental treatment less intimidating.

Sometimes, despite your excellent at-home oral hygiene efforts and routine dental check-ups, kids teeth problems occur. But you can rest assured that at Lakeside Dental Studio, we have the technology and expertise to protect your child’s teeth so they continue to play an important role in their oral development.

Kids Teeth Problems: Tooth Decay

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, cavities are among the most common chronic diseases faced by Australian children. The AIHW report showed that 42% of children had decay in their baby teeth, and 24% experienced decay in their permanent teeth.

Tooth decay is caused by a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates combined with a poor oral health routine. Bacteria in your child’s mouth feed on the sugars in the foods they eat and produce acid as a metabolic byproduct. If not removed with regular brushing and flossing, this acid erodes tooth enamel, leading to cavities.

You can combat cavities at home by promoting proper brushing and flossing techniques. Try using a song or story to show kids how to brush their teeth in small circular motions. Set a timer to ensure they brush for the recommended two minutes. Use a floss threader for easier flossing for kids with limited fine motor skills.

At Lakeside Dental Studio, we offer fluoride treatments and fissure sealants to help protect your child’s teeth from cavities. Fluoride treatments help remineralise tooth enamel, reducing the effects of acid erosion. Sealants prevent food and bacteria from building up on the tooth’s chewing surface, making them easier to remove.

Kids Teeth Problems: Grinding and Jaw Clenching

Kids often grind their teeth in response to stress, tooth misalignment, or discomfort due to new teeth emerging. Teeth grinding wears down enamel, leaving your child’s teeth vulnerable to decay. Jaw clenching and tooth grinding (bruxism) can also increase tooth sensitivity and ear or jaw pain.

To reduce dental problems due to bruxism, your child may need to wear a custom mouthguard at night. The mouthguard provides shock absorption and eliminates friction between teeth. Your Lakeside Studio Dentist can check for signs of enamel wear at your child’s regular exam.

Kids Teeth Problems: Bite Misalignment and Malocclusion

Genetics, premature or delayed tooth loss, overcrowding, and self-soothing habits can cause paediatric dental problems. If your child’s teeth and jaw are misaligned, this can make them harder to clean, increasing their risk of decay and gum disease.

At Lakeside Dental Studio, we offer orthodontic screenings to identify dental problems so you can explore treatment options to correct your child’s teeth and bite. During an orthodontic screening, we use X-rays to determine the position and development of your child’s teeth. If their permanent teeth appear to be emerging abnormally, we can begin orthodontic treatment at around eight years old.

We can provide metal or clear braces to help correct crookedness, overbite, underbite, and complex orthodontic issues. We also offer Invisalign clear aligners for mild to moderate malocclusions, which are an excellent, discrete alternative to traditional braces for preteens and teens.

Kids Teeth Problems: Thumb Sucking and Dummy Use

Sucking their thumb or using a dummy is a normal way for infants and toddlers to self-soothe. However, if the habit persists when their permanent teeth emerge, typically when they start primary school, it can cause significant oral health issues.

Depending on the intensity, frequency, and duration, thumb sucking can cause the front teeth to protrude, leading to an overbite. It can also lead to changes in the hard palate, which could adversely impact your child’s speech.

There are several methods you can use to reduce thumb sucking, including placing a Band-Aid on the thumb or cutting the rubber tip of the dummy. If the habit persists, talk to your Lakeside Dental Studio dentist about interventions such as an oral appliance like a fixed palatal thumb crib.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth and Promote Positive Habits With Lakeside Dental Studio

At Lakeside Dental Studio, we provide preventative care and oral health education to stop dental problems from occurring.

If your child is experiencing oral health issues or their first teeth have emerged, schedule a check-up with the caring, compassionate staff at Lakeside Dental Studio today. Our gentle approach to dentistry and state-of-the-art facilities ensures you and your child will feel calm and comfortable so you can get the dental care you need.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.