3 Signs You Need to Take Your Toddler to a Dentist

Paying attention to a toddlers’ oral health is crucial. Since they are too young to understand if they have any issues, it is your job as a parent to be aware of signs that indicate whether your little one is suffering from dental issues.

Even though the baby teeth that are sprouting will eventually fall off to make way for permanent teeth, it does not downplay oral care value during this stage. In fact, dental problems developed during childhood can directly influence the permanent teeth.

Hence, it is important to be aware of the following signs that could indicate you need to take your toddler to a pediatric dentist.

• Toothache: Many dental problems could start showing themselves in the form of a toothache. Tooth decay caused by baby bottles is a key reason for toothaches in infants and toddlers. The usual cause behind this is sugar coming into consistent contact with the teeth since sugars from baby food, milk, fruit juices, and candies can result in bacteria being formed in the mouth.
• Clicking Jaw: If you hear popping sounds or clicks every time your child is chewing, this could indicate that their jaw is misaligned. This means that your little one likely has an overbite or an underbite. This issue can usually be fixed with braces or retainers. Visiting an orthodontist will help you understand whether your child needs to be prepared for braces in the future.
• Lip Sucking: If a child picks up the habit of lip sucking, it can lead to malocclusion problems (misalignment of the teeth). Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting can also lead to similar issues. However, a child can also develop malocclusion naturally as their teeth are developing and may pick up the habit of lip sucking as a side effect of this condition. Either way, if you notice that your little one is lip sucking a lot, then it is crucial you make an appointment with a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

Suppose you reside within the areas of Fort Luptin, Frederick, or Dacono. In that case, Dr. David Garlock & Dr. Matthew Brady at Firestone Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics can help you with any dental problems your toddler may be suffering from.