Maintaining good oral health is essential for overall health. Many diseases can start from oral problems, and as parents, we must ensure our children will not get those diseases. The color of your teeth, texture, and even alignment can give you an idea about your overall health. But did you know your oral health can also tell you about other potential conditions?
Let’s check it out! This article will discuss the connection between your child’s oral hygiene and other diseases. We will see what a kid’s teeth color, and sensitivity, tell about their overall health. With this, you can better understand how healthy your child is.
What does the color of your child’s teeth say about their health?
As mentioned above, the color of your child’s teeth, or yours, can tell much about their health. Go ahead and check the color of their teeth and see what category it falls into.
White Teeth
White teeth are a great indication of proper dental care. This means your child is brushing their teeth properly and eating nutritious foods that are good for them. On the other hand, teeth that are too white may indicate overusing teeth whitening products. These products can damage the enamel or even the whole teeth if it continues to be overused.
Yellow Teeth
Yellow teeth are a sign of poor oral hygiene. In adults, it primarily indicates that they are smokers as nicotine stains the teeth yellow. For a child, this just means brushing their teeth better or using the proper cleaning tools. It’s a terrible sign because the plaque and tartar are already building up inside their mouth, and there is a huge possibility of tooth decay and enamel erosion.
Brown or Black Teeth
This discoloration can be a sign of tooth decay, mainly if the discoloration is localized to a single tooth. So, if you see brownish or black teeth inside your child’s mouth, it is time to take them to the nearest dentist to ensure the decaying tooth can be adequately removed without damaging the permanent teeth.
Blue or Green Teeth
Blue or green teeth can be a sign of a rare condition called chromogenic bacteria, which can occur when certain types of bacteria produce colored pigments that stain the teeth. This is very rare, so if you see this pigmentation, take your child to the nearest clinic to see what’s happening.
You must be aware that factors such as age, certain medicines, and heredity can all influence the color of your child’s teeth. If you are concerned about the color of your child’s teeth, it is strongly advised that you consult with a dentist. Junior Smiles of Stafford, a pediatric dentist in Burke, VA, can give you concrete advice and information regarding the discoloration of your child’s teeth. They also offer other helpful dental services and plans to keep your child healthy and smiling.
What the Sensitivity of Your Child’s Teeth Says About Their Health
It may be hard to believe, but Tooth sensitivity can be a sign of underlying oral health problems. Here are some common tooth sensitivities and what they might indicate.
Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods
Enamel erosion is the most common reason behind the sensitivity to hot or cold foods. This is usually caused by the sugar-eating bacteria inside the mouth that produces acid and affects the enamel in our teeth. This is uncommon for children, but you can check if they have hot and cold sensitivity when drinking warm milk or ice cream.
Sensitivity to Sweet Foods
Most of the kids love sweet foods, but some feel a bit of sensitivity when eating anything sweet. This is usually a sign of cavities and tooth decay. Consult your pediatric dentist as soon as possible to get it checked.
Sensitivity to Pressure
Does your child have a hard time biting or chewing? If they are, then they may have sensitivity to pressure. This happens when they have cracked or broken teeth. In severe cases, it can be a sign of abscess or infection.
Tooth sensitivity can also be caused by other factors, including gingival recession, teeth grinding and clenching, and recent dental work. If your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity, you should consult a dentist to ascertain the underlying cause and receive treatment.
Connection Between Oral Hygiene and Diseases
Maintaining good oral hygiene isn’t just good for the teeth but also for the other parts of your body. Let’s quickly examine the connections between oral hygiene and diseases.
Gum Disease and Heart Disease
If you neglect your oral hygiene, bacteria from gum diseases can enter the bloodstream and go straight to your heart. This can cause cardiovascular diseases that are very hard and expensive to cure.
Gum Disease and Diabetes
Diabetes and cavities have the same culprit; sugar. People with diabetes who have poor hygiene can start to develop gum diseases, making sugar control more difficult. Proper oral hygiene can help people with diabetes to worry more about diabetes than any other thing.
Gum Disease and Pregnancy Complications
Premature birth and other birth complications can happen because of poor dental health. This is because the bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream and trigger an immune response that can cause inflammation. Inflammation during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications, such as premature labor and delivery.
Final Thoughts
Gum diseases and oral hygiene may seem small compared to other conditions, but they contribute significantly to developing other fatal diseases. As parents, we need to ensure that our children can get the best preventive care to ensure that these will not happen to them. Consulting your pediatric dentist is the first step in their journey to successful oral hygiene.
