How to Determine Whether Your Child Has Cavities?
Detecting cavities in the mouth is a challenge even adults fail to overcome. Cavities start as tiny holes that, in many cases, aren’t detectable to the naked eye. Cavities can also develop between the teeth and can only be detected during dental cleanings and exams performed every six months by the dentist.
Do you think you can detect cavities in your child’s mouth? Your child may not be in a position to communicate with you about the teeth pain they are encountering or explain their situation comprehensively. However, it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child is undergoing regular exams and cleanings from Phoenix pediatric dentistry, where dentists can spot tooth decay that results in cavities. If, for any reason, you haven’t taken your child to the pediatric dentist, it will help if you read this article to learn about how you can determine whether your child has a cavity in their mouth. Let us look at some of the indicators the child may complain about:
Child Complains of a Toothache
A child complaining about a toothache is quite common because their permanent teeth are constantly emerging until seven. A toothache is not always a sign of a cavity, but if your child is complaining about pain in a particular tooth, you need to evaluate it for cavities. Please discuss with your child how the tooth is bothering them and where they experience the pain. When children develop cavities, they experience pain, even when they are not eating or drinking. It is why pain is an indicator of a developing hole.
Child Complaining about Gum Pain
If your child complains about gum pain, there are possibilities they could be misinterpreting the source of pain in their mouths. This is a common problem with toddlers than older children. However, there is no harm in visiting the pediatric dentist to check for cavities when children complain of pain in the gums.
Another reason for gum pain is because the child is not properly brushing and flossing their teeth. The child needs supervision when brushing and flossing, failing which their teeth are at risk of developing cavities issues.
Visible Spots on the Child’s Teeth
Do you notice white or brown spots on your child’s teeth? These are indicators of a cavity developing on the child’s tooth. If your child has dark areas around the tooth, they are signs of tooth decay. A tooth with developing pits begins to decay, and as it progresses, the tooth will have dark areas before turning entirely unclear.
Child Reports Tooth Sensitivity
Is your child reporting tooth sensitivity when eating certain food items? If the child only complains about sensitivity when eating or drinking, it will help check the child for cavities. Children frequently have foods with high sugar content in them. Your child may also be affected by tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures because of an excessively decayed tooth, which may need root canal treatment.
Pain When Chewing
Pain when chewing his experience by many older children who will express their discomfort to you. You may have to adopt unique techniques to identify cavities in order and younger children differently. Younger children unable to express their pain and appearing not to eat sufficiently as they usually do must be checked for cavities. Cavities on a tooth are painful when chewing. Younger children may only complain about pain without pointing to the specific tooth, causing it needing help either from you or a pediatric dentist.
The most apparent sign that a child has cavities is visible on the child’s teeth. A hole in a tooth is the most common sign of a cavity. You must ask your child to open their mouth and inspect all their teeth for holes. It helps you determine how they should be treated before the holes make the tooth fragile.
As an adult, you would know how awful tooth pain is. It is why you must learn how to spot a cavity and prevent tooth pain in your child’s mouth right away. After you have learned how to spot a cavity, ensure you schedule an appointment with Phoenix pediatric dentistry for your child as soon as you notice the first indication of a hole in their teeth. The earlier you get the treatment your child needs, the better it will be for you and the child to have their natural teeth preserved with appropriate treatment.