Every parent wants their kids to be as healthy and happy as possible. As such, we care for our kids when they get sick, and we do everything we can to keep them from getting sick in the first place. But, unfortunately, even the best parent in the world understands that their kids will get sick. When that happens, we have to know how to listen to our kids and make sure that we are addressing their needs. Keeping our kids healthy applies to all aspects of their lives, including their teeth.
Caries (commonly referred to as cavities) are a sign of tooth damage. Specifically, a cavity is a hole or damaged area within a tooth. They are caused by tooth decay, which is a long but preventable process.
Cavities are caused by various factors, including genetics, poor eating habits, poor dental care, and constantly eating certain foods. For example, sugar is typically associated with a child's cavities.
If not treated, a cavity can spread to deeper layers of the teeth, ultimately having the potential to damage your gums and mouth. In addition, untreated cavities can cause permanent, long-term damage and infections. Indeed, the damage can actually spread throughout your body, ultimately leading to issues as severe as heart damage.
Fortunately, with quick treatment, the damage will be minimal.
As most adults know, a cavity can be very painful. Common symptoms include:
But kids may not have developed the vocabulary to describe what tooth pain feels like — particularly younger children. As such, adults must watch, ask questions, and listen.
Fortunately, you can help them identify a potential cavity and get them the help they need.
Most kids are familiar with what pain is and know how to identify it. The age of a child will obviously impact how they describe their pain. However, if a kid is old enough to get a cavity, they will most likely be able to verbalize what they are experiencing. Depending on the child's age, you may want to ask open-ended, non-leading questions:
If you have a younger child who doesn't recognize the source of their pain, they may describe a cavity by saving something like, "Eating hurts" or "Drinking hurts." Since tooth sensitivity is relatively common with a cavity — particularly to something hot or cold — they may mention this when eating something like soup or ice cream. If a child says that they don't want hot or cold foods when they typically have enjoyed them in the past, it may be a sign of a cavity.
It's certainly possible that a child is just exhibiting a temporary temperature sensitivity, but if this happens regularly, or if the pain is so severe that the child doesn't want to eat or drink anymore, then you need to seek help right away.
Sometimes, you can tell something is wrong with a child, not in what they say but in how they act. For example, if a kid has tooth pain or a cavity, they may move their mouth or jaw around to avoid triggering that pain. You may see them chewing or shifting their mouth constantly. They may also be chewing food or shifting drinks to one side of their mouth. This is an obvious attempt to avoid the pain triggered by their cavity.
If this is the case, you should ask your child why they are eating "funny." Kids, of course, tend to do things like this, and there may be no reason behind it. But if it's because their mouth or teeth hurt, make an appointment with a pediatric dentist.
Child cavities can be painful and uncomfortable. Fortunately, child cavities often come with easily identifiable symptoms and can be managed with a quick trip to the dentist's office.
