Early childhood is a vital stage in which the human immune system is in formation. That is why it is important to attend to the vaccination schedule from the pediatrician and also to go to the dentist from the first milk tooth. Keeping track of your children’s oral health will not only help you prevent specific diseases, but also prevent the appearance of general health problems that affect their normal development.
Gingivitis or caries are the main diseases related to defects in dental care. In fact, caries is the most common chronic disease with an incidence of 80% of the global population, of which 10% are children. Proper tooth brushing is crucial to eliminate bacteria and food debris that can cause damage to children’s teeth or gums. Another risk factor is the excessive consumption of sugars, which is also related to other diseases such as diabetes or childhood obesity.
Temporary teeth are the guide in the formation of healthy teeth in adulthood and from there lies the importance of maintaining good oral health. “An infection in the mouth or gums can lead to difficulties for various vital functions of the body such as chewing, digestion, speech or breathing,” says Víctor Cambra, director of Cambra Clinic Nens, a Cambra Clinic project.
The premature loss of milk teeth could give rise to other problems in the medium term, such as a bad position of the pieces that will make up the final teeth or the inadequate growth of the jaws and the rest of the bones that make up the mouth. Consequently, this scenario would favor the appearance of bruxism, respiratory diseases, insomnia or even a lack of self-esteem in adulthood.
Observing your children’s teeth will help you prevent and treat oral diseases in time. For example, a sign of the onset of decay is the change in the color of the tooth, from white to yellow, and from yellow to brown or black around the area affected by the cavity. Defects in enamel or systemic diseases that change salivary flow, due to their regulatory role in infections, are factors that can influence the development of caries.
Without proper treatment, the infection will spread to the rest of the teeth, even if the inflammation and pain associated with a cavity disappear. The microorganisms reach the inside of the tooth through fractures, cracks or leaks in the fillings and, according to Doctor Cambra, if they remain inside, the infection could spread to the jaw, head or neck. Even bacteria can travel through the blood and cause sepsis, a condition that stems from a strong immune response.
In order to avoid this type of consequences, it is essential, in addition to a good brushing supervised by an adult with the use of fluoride and a moderate consumption of sugars, to go to the pediatric dentist for an early diagnosis and to carry out periodic check-ups.
