Treatment and prevention of dental diseases in children

Children’s teeth and gums are more vulnerable to disease than adults. Immune deficiencies and poor oral hygiene contribute to the early development of tooth decay and other dental problems. Professional preventive care, including dental cleanings, enamel strengthening, fissure sealing and other procedures, can help avoid these complications. Regular dental check-ups are recommended starting at the onset of the first teeth, which usually occurs at 2-3 years of age.

Why do I need to prevent tooth and gum disease in children?

Decay on baby teeth can develop very quickly, leading to tooth decay and severe pain in just a few months. In children, it often appears as yellow spots or chips that are difficult to see. Parents sometimes underestimate the importance of treating baby teeth, believing that they do not need to be treated because they will change. However, this approach is wrong.

Tooth decay can lead to serious complications such as gum inflammation, premature loss of baby teeth and bite disorders. Therefore, prevention of tooth and gum disease in children is extremely important.

Common diseases of teeth and gums in children

Children can suffer from the same dental conditions as adults. The most common are:

• Caries is the destruction of enamel and dentin, the hard tissues of teeth.
• Pulpitis – inflammation of the pulp, soft tissues of the tooth.
• Periodontitis – inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth.

Pulpitis and periodontitis are usually complications of tooth decay and require treatment, which may result in the extraction of a baby tooth. Premature tooth extraction can lead to malocclusion and uneven eruption of molars.

Gum disease in children

Gum disease is also serious. Commonly occurring diseases:

• Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums with redness and swelling.
• Stomatitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth with the formation of ulcers.
• Periodontitis – inflammation of the periodontal tissues that hold the tooth in place.
• Periodontal disease – a disease of the periodontium, accompanied by its destruction.

Gingivitis and stomatitis are quite common, and their symptoms help diagnose the diseases. Periodontitis and periodontal disease are less common, but may be symptomless in the early stages.

The main cause of disease is infection that enters the oral cavity, while plaque and calculus create a suitable environment for its development. Professional teeth cleaning and other preventive methods help to reduce the risk of diseases.

Methods of prevention of dental diseases in children

While many people think that prevention is just about brushing daily, there are actually many ways to protect your child’s teeth:

• Professional teeth cleaning once every 3-4 months. It includes removal of plaque and hard deposits in hard-to-reach areas.
• Fluoridation of teeth to strengthen enamel.
• Remineralization of teeth using special preparations.
• Silvering of baby teeth.
• Fissure sealing – coating of dental curves with fluoride sealant.

It is also important to maintain oral hygiene, watch the diet (reduce the consumption of sugar, sweets and baked goods) and diet.

Prevention of gum disease in children

The same procedures are used to reduce the risk of gum disease as are used to prevent dental disease. Professional cleanings are especially important because the dentist removes plaque and tartar that cannot be removed with regular cleanings and also cleans gum pockets, which helps prevent gingivitis.