Tooth decay impacts far more than your child’s smile.

Tooth decay occurs due to the destruction of tooth enamel, which is the hard outer surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, there are many contributing factors to tooth decay and what might be causing your child’s toothache. If your child has tooth decay, it can impact far more than just their smile. And when it’s not treated, tooth decay can lead to cavities, which are holes or pits in the teeth.

We often think  tooth decay leads to a cavity and nothing more. After all, you typically go to the dentist, get a crown or a filling, and the cavity goes away, right? Well, in some ways, yes, your kids’ dentist can treat those painful cavities. But without changes in your child’s oral health routine, tooth decay may return and will have an impact on more than just their smile.

The mouth-body connection is something that often gets overlooked in these scenarios. When you think about it, it’s easy to see that the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. It mainly serves as the pathway for food to enter our bodies, but occasionally, pathogens and toxins can get past the body’s defense mechanisms, getting stronger and stronger until we brush our teeth and remove them.

The same happens for our kids. If proper  toothbrushing doesn’t come or isn’t done frequently enough, bacteria can work its way further into the body. Good oral hygiene is a vital component to maintain a healthy balance in the mouth and keep those toothaches and tooth decay away.

Signs Your Child Has Tooth Decay

The signs and symptoms of toothaches brought on by tooth decay can vary. When a cavity is first forming, it’s normal for your child to have very little symptoms at all. But as that tooth decay worsens, it can lead to the following:

• Toothaches
• Tooth sensitivity or pain when consuming something sweet, hot, or cold
• Holes or pits in the teeth
• Staining on the surface of the teeth
• Pain when your child bites into their food

5 Problems Toothaches Can Cause for Your Child

A toothache can affect many things, including but not limited to the following:

1. Eating

A healthy diet is integral for good health, protecting your child against many illnesses and providing the energy they need to get through the day. When your child’s mouth hurts, however, they are far less likely to eat a good meal and get the nutrition they need. Good nutrition is also crucial for growth and bone density.

2. Sleeping

It can be hard to relax enough to fall asleep when our teeth hurt. Since sleep plays such a critical role in your child’s physical health, the last thing you want is for them to be up all night writhing in pain from a toothache that could have been treated or prevented. And ongoing sleep deprivation can harm their heart, kidneys, and more.

3. Speaking

Just like it is hard to sleep when we have a toothache, it can be hard to speak properly too. A toothache is commonly associated with swollen gums, and anytime there is swelling in our mouths, it can be hard to form words properly. If your child’s speaking is impacted from a toothache for too long, it can inadvertently impact speech development too.

4. Playing

Let’s get real. As adults, we know a toothache can keep us from concentrating on work or being effective during the day. For kids, a toothache can also negatively impact their playtime, and kids need play and physical activity to burn off excess energy. Further, playing is a significant part of childhood development. So when tooth pain keeps your child from playing, it’s a sign that there is something wrong in the mouth and an imminent trip to the dentist is in order.

5. Learning

You’re probably picking up on a common theme at this point. Toothaches make it hard to eat, sleep, speak, and play. And toothaches can make it hard to learn as well. Tooth pain is all-consuming and can make it challenging for your child to concentrate on anything. Since your child’s education is critical to their growth and development, it’s best to get their tooth decay and toothache treated.

A trip to the dentist can stop tooth decay in its tracks.

If your child is showing signs of tooth decay, it’s time to make a trip to the pediatric dentist. Your kids’ dentist in Prince Frederick or Waldorf, Maryland, can help provide tips so your child can improve their dental hygiene, lessening their risk of developing cavities down the road. So if your child is due for a trip to the dentist or is showing signs of a toothache, don’t delay and request an appointment today. The team at We Make Kids Smile looks forward to seeing you and your child.