5 Signs that Your Child May Need to See a Dentist

In addition to your usual check-ups, when you notice certain things about your teeth, from bleeding gums to toothache, you see a dentist. However, when it comes to children, things become more complicated, as they may not be able to articulate that something is wrong and that they need help. As parents, there are certain signs you can look out for, so here are some of the things you may notice that may mean a trip to the dentist is in order. 

Sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth can be a sign of tooth decay, which isn’t just something that happens to adults; it can affect kids too. While children can’t always say that they have sensitive teeth, you can usually tell because they’ll pull faces if you give them something too hot, cold or sweet. If your child is suddenly reluctant to eat delicious ice cream or eats a hot dinner reluctantly, then it may be time to get them to the dentist to check their teeth. 

Blood on their toothbrush

When adults see blood either on their toothbrush or they spit blood in the sink, then they will immediately see their dentist as this may be a sign of problems with your gums. Kids usually fall into two camps, they either ignore the blood and go to bed, or they get very upset by it. If your child is one of the former, check their toothbrush regularly and if you see any flecks, get a dental appointment.

Teeth growing in crooked

During your child’s regular dental check-ups, your dentist will check how their adult teeth are coming in. They want to ensure their teeth look straight, not only for cosmetic reasons but for the health of the teeth too. However, in-between appointments, if you’ve noticed their teeth look crooked, you could visit the Kew Road Dental orthodontist for an initial consultation. NHS orthodontics have a long waiting list, so if you would rather not wait for your child to get braces, then going private might be a good option.

Toothaches and swelling

Children can’t always tell you when they have a toothache, and when they’re young, they may show signs of toothache like drooling, biting things or sucking on items. Sometimes, this is natural and due to teething, but if it’s gone on for a while and you can’t see any new teeth coming through, then it might be worth getting them an appointment to have their teeth checked.

A clicking jaw

If you notice your child’s jaw clicking when they eat, then you should see a dentist. There can be several conditions where the jaw is misaligned, and most of the time, treatment is quite straightforward. While a misaligned jaw may not seem to be causing them any pain now, it could easily get worse in future if left untreated and could mean they need surgery when they are older. See a dentist and find out what steps you can take to avoid this.