I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
Keeping permanent teeth healthy means maintaining a strict routine of brushing and flossing and making sure that your child visits the dentist on a regular basis for checkups and cleanings. Even if oral hygiene is excellent and dental appointments are kept, certain things can pose serious threats to your child's teeth and gums, such as the following.
Injuries
If your child plays sports, chances are that he or she may sustain a sports injury that may knock out his or her teeth. It is essential that your child wear a mouth guard or mouth protector while playing sports. They help soften facial blows and reduce the risk for lost or broken teeth or getting a cut lip, cheek, or tongue.
Mouth guards also help protect your child against facial injuries. Most schools require that kids wear mouth guards for many sports; however, even if your child's school does not require them, talk to a kid's dentist about recommending a guard that will offer the most protection against tooth loss and other facial injuries. Advise your child to always keep the mouth guard in his or her mouth and refrain from pushing it in and out of the mouth with the tongue.
Be sure to clean the mouth guard per your dentist's instructions between every use. If your child sustains a mouth injury, see the dentist as soon as possible so that immediate interventions can be implemented, which may help prevent further tooth and gum damage.
Enamel Erosion
Enamel erosion is another serious threat to your child's teeth. Kids who consume large amounts of acidic juices and soft drinks may develop acid erosion of the tooth enamel, which can put your child at risk for cavities and tooth infections. The tooth enamel acts as a protective barrier against oral bacteria that is responsible for tooth decay and infections of the pulp. When the enamel becomes weak or thin as a result of acidic foods and drinks, this barrier is compromised.
If your child has enamel erosion, the dentist may recommend that the young person use a toothpaste that helps strengthen the enamel while also making better dietary choices. Energy and sports drinks are especially acidic, and while they help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting, you should discuss alternatives with the kid's dentist.
To learn more about mouth injuries, mouth guards, and enamel erosion, make an appointment with a kid's dentist. When injuries and enamel erosion are treated early on, your child is less likely to require complex dental procedures or experience complications. These complications may include loss of blood supply to the nerve or root of the tooth, oral hemorrhage, tooth sensitivity as a result of untreated acid erosion, and permanent enamel discoloration.
Share19 November 2019
