Nearly 50% of American children aged from 2 to 19 have one or a few cavities. If you’re a parent, there’s a high chance you’ll be taking your children to the dental office somewhere in the future wondering if they have cavities or not. This dental problem can permanently damage your child’s teeth and put them at a higher risk of gum infection if untreated. Numerous signs indicate an onset of cavities.
Keep on reading to discover the five most common signs your child may have cavities.
1. A pit or fissure in the tooth
Poor dental hygiene can lead to white spots forming your child’s teeth. These spots can indicate a forming cavity. If left untreated, they will develop into a pit or a fissure. Sometimes, these pits or fissures can appear between the teeth or in other hidden places in your child’s mouth. However, just because they can’t be spotted or felt, it doesn’t mean there still won’t be soreness or sensitivity surrounding the affected tooth. If your child experiences such symptoms, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist right away. Pits and fissures in teeth don’t heal on their own and require dental sealants or fluoride treatment.
2. Stains
Stains on your child’s teeth may initially look like white spots. If left to persist, they will darken over time. Stains resulted from a forming cavity typically appear on the chewing surfaces of teeth and then work their way deeper. When decay reaches the inner part of the tooth, it will result in severe radiating pain. That’s because decay will start damaging the nerves inside your child’s jawbone. If your child has any discoloration on their teeth, take them to a pediatric dentistry center ASAP.
3. Sensitivity to cold, hot, or sugary foods and drinks
If your child avoids consuming anything hot, cold, or sugary due to pain, that is the clear sign of a cavity. When your child’s enamel becomes thinner, it makes the underlying dentin layer susceptible to bacteria, acids, and food particles. All of these can affect the numerous nerves and cells contained in dentin, resulting in sharp and severe pain.
4. Toothache
Continuous pain in your child’s tooth is the most obvious sign of a cavity. Sometimes, this pain can occur suddenly after consuming specific foods or beverages. In other cases, it can start as a minor nagging ache that worsens over time. Your child may not remember when this type of pain has firstly occurred (like after biting down on a hard food). However, if your child mentions this pain typically around mealtime, a cavity may be the culprit.
5. Gum pain
If your child says they experience gum pain, they may be misinterpreting the origin of this pain. It’s typical for toddlers more than for older kids, but if your child experiences pain in their gum lines, it’s a good idea to check for cavities. Gum pain can be linked to cavities due to gum irritation that results from poor dental hygiene. If your child brushes their own teeth, check whether they doing it properly or doing it at all. Gum irritation can signal that your child isn’t brushing or flossing their teeth decently. If that’s the case, their teeth can be at increased risk of developing cavities.
The bottom line
If your child shows any of the aforementioned signs and symptoms, make sure you act quickly to prevent them from worsening and causing permanent damage. Consider scheduling an appointment with a top pediatric dentist to provide your child with the quality dental care that they deserve.
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