Tooth Decay
Chicago Pediatric Dentist:Cavities, caries, or tooth decay, is a preventable disease. While caries might not endanger your child's life, they can negatively affect their life and health.
With kids, teeth and gums are often, constantly exposed to large amounts of starches and sugars, acids may form that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Carb-rich foods such as candy, snacks, soft drinks, sports drinks and even fruity juices leave sugar on your teeth. Those deposits bond with the bacteria that normally survive in your mouth and form plaque. The combination of sugar and plaque forms certain acids that can damage the mineral structure of teeth, with tooth decay resulting. Visiting your pediatric dentist regularly can remove plaque and prevent decay as well at proper at home oral hygiene.
Tooth Sensitivity
Did you know that teeth expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. Hot and cold food and drinks can cause pain or irritation or discomfort to those with sensitive teeth. Over time, tooth enamel can wear down, gums may recede or teeth may develop microscopic cracks, exposing the interior of the tooth and irritating nerve endings. Just breathing cold air can be painful for those with extremely sensitive teeth. Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Boyd can help you to retain your enamel and can recommend products and treatment to strengthen your teeth and minimize sensitivity.Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease can cause pain, inflammation, bleeding, tooth loss and bone damage. Gum disease begins with plaque build up on the teeth and gums. Gums in the early stage of disease, or gingivitis, can bleed with brushing and flossing and become red and swollen. As the disease progresses to periodontitis, teeth can fall out or need to be removed by a dentist. Gum disease is highly preventable and can usually be avoided by daily brushing and flossing. One indicator of gum disease is consistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Many American children have gum disease. It's speculated that the plaque in the mouth can be spread to the rest of the body through the blood stream and affect overall health. Contact your pediatric dentist for an evaluation. Catching gum disease in its earliest stages is important. So don't ignore the pink in the sink! After a certain stage of this disease, it is no longer reversible, but can be maintained with regular dental visits.Halitosis (Bad Breath)
Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or another dental problem. If you are experiencing bad breath, visit your dentist for a complete exam and diagnosis to treat the problem.Canker Sores
Pediatric Dentist ChicagoCanker sores (aphthous ulcers) are small sores inside the mouth that often affect adults and children alike. Generally the sores last approximately one to two weeks. Antimicrobial mouthwashes or topical agents can help to treat the canker sores.
Misaligned teeth
A bite that does not meet properly (a malocclusion) can be inherited, or some types may be acquired. Some causes of malocclusion include missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth or misaligned jaws. Accidents or developmental issues, such as finger or thumb sucking over an extended period of time, may cause malocclusions. Dr. Boyd, pediatric dentist in Chicago is an expert in the area of early orthodontic treatment.Post by: Identity Dental Marketing
