What are preschooler teeth issues?

Preschooler teeth issues might include:

• enamel hypomineralisation
• injuries to the teeth and mouth
• teeth-grinding
• thumb-sucking
• tooth decay.

Enamel hypomineralisation

Enamel hypomineralisation is when the outer surfaces of teeth have fewer minerals than usual. As a result, teeth are weak and might break down.

Teeth with enamel hypomineralisation have white, yellow or brown patches. They might also be sensitive to cold and brushing.

Baby teeth aren’t often affected by enamel hypomineralisation, but it can happen. If you think your child has enamel hypomineralisation, it’s important for them to see a dentist as soon as possible. Early treatment can help to stop your child’s teeth from breaking down even more.

Injuries to teeth

Injuries to your child’s face and teeth can happen when they’re walking, running, climbing, riding scooters and bikes and so on. It’s important to take your child to a dentist or hospital emergency department if your child damages their teeth or face.

If your child knocks out a baby tooth or their tooth moves out of its usual position, don’t try to put it back, because this can damage the adult tooth that’s developing under the gum.

Losing a baby tooth before it’s ready to come out usually isn’t a serious dental problem, but it’s important to take your child to the dentist immediately for a check-up. Take the knocked-out tooth too.

The dentist can reassure you and your child that an adult tooth will eventually fill the space and that any pain or tenderness will soon go.

Teeth-grinding

Teeth-grinding in preschoolers is common and doesn’t usually need treatment.

Some children clench their jaws quite firmly, and others grind their teeth so hard that it makes a noise. Some children grind their teeth during sleep. Often, they don’t wake up when they do it – but other people do!

Most of the time, teeth-grinding doesn’t last and doesn’t cause damage to your child’s teeth. But if it keeps going, you might want to talk to your dentist or GP. It could lead to your child experiencing headaches and tooth or jaw pain or wearing down their teeth.

Thumb-sucking

Sucking thumbs or fingers is a natural reflex in babies and young children. Most children grow out of sucking their thumbs or fingers at 2-4 years.

If your child is still sucking their thumb or fingers after they turn 4, you might want to encourage them to stop. Here are ideas:

• Talk with your child about stopping thumb-sucking. For example, ‘It’s good to keep your thumb out of your mouth. This helps your teeth grow well, and you can do other things with your hands!’
• Find ways to distract your child from thumb-sucking. For example, you could encourage your child to play with a toy or do an activity like drawing or a puzzle.
• Praise your child. For example, ‘That’s great. I can hear your words clearly when your thumb isn’t in your mouth’.
• Use a reward chart. For example, you could give your child a sticker or token each time you see that they aren’t sucking their thumb or fingers.
• Talk to a pharmacist about options like paint-on solution.

Sucking that goes on over many years can affect the growth of a child’s jaws and the way their teeth line up. It might cause permanent dental problems if it keeps going when adult teeth start to come through. If you’re concerned that your child’s thumb-sucking and finger-sucking are causing dental problems, talk to your dentist.

Children are more likely to suck their thumbs or fingers when they’re tired, stressed, hungry or sleeping.

Tooth decay in preschoolers

Tooth decay is a diet-related disease that damages teeth.

Signs of tooth decay include white patches or brown spots on teeth, holes in teeth or broken teeth.

You can prevent tooth decay in your child by taking 3 key steps:

• Clean your child’s teeth and gums twice a day – in the morning and at night.
• Offer your child a healthy, low-sugar diet and encourage healthy eating habits.
• Care for your child’s dental health by taking them for regular dental check-ups.