Dental and oral conditions are health problems that impact the mouth, including the teeth, gums, tongue or other soft tissues. Many of these conditions can affect infants, young kids and teens.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Small, blister-like bumps that appear on the hands and feet and in the mouth due to a virus
Herpangina
Herpangina is a common viral illness in young kids between the ages of 1 and 4. It causes small blister-like bumps in the back of the throat or the roof of the mouth. Kids also often have a sudden high fever, sore throat, headache, drooling and loss of appetite.
It’s most common in summer and fall and spreads easily. Washing hands well helps prevent it.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are small blisters around the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus stays in the body and can flare up again due to stress, illness or changes in weather. Some kids have no symptoms, while others feel tingling, itching or pain before blisters form and heal.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion happens when the teeth or jaws don’t line up properly, which can cause a poor bite. The bite might look crowded, crooked or have overlapping teeth or teeth that don’t meet when the mouth is closed. It can lead to trouble chewing, speech issues or mouth breathing. It may require braces or other treatment.
Natal Teeth
Natal teeth are baby teeth that are present at birth and occur in about 1 in 2,000 infants. These teeth are often loose because their roots aren’t fully formed. They can cause breastfeeding problems and may pose a risk if the tooth comes loose and it goes down your baby’s throat.
Nursing Bottle Caries
Nursing bottle caries, known as tooth decay, usually affects kids between 1 and 2 years old. It often happens when babies fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice or breastfeed while asleep. Early signs include white spots on teeth and early cavities.
Teething
Teething occurs when a baby’s teeth begin to move and push through the gums, often around 5 to 7 months of age. Most babies get their two middle bottom teeth first. By about 2-3 years old, they usually have all 20 baby teeth.
Common signs of teething include drooling, chewing on hands or toys, puffy gums and being fussy. Teething can make babies feel bad, but it doesn’t cause colds, loose stools or high fevers.
Thrush
Thrush, also known as candidiasis, is a yeast infection caused by a common fungus. When the infection occurs in the mouth, it’s called thrush. It often affects newborns and infants, especially if they are taking certain medicines or have a weakened immune system.
Symptoms include a white tongue and spots inside the mouth that don’t wipe away easily. Babies with thrush may also have a yeast infection in the diaper area. This can cause red, sore skin with clear edges or sores with pus.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a serious infection that destroys the gums and tissues around the teeth. Germs and plaque buildup on the teeth cause it.
If not treated, it can damage the gums and bones and lead to possible tooth loss. If your child shows signs like red, swollen gums, bleeding while brushing or bad breath, talk to a dentist.
