You’d be forgiven for thinking that dentures were mostly for the elderly. It’s how they’re portrayed in media nearly 100% of the time. But, did you know that even children get dentures often too? Any oral surgeon specializing in caring for children can tell you—it happens all the time.
Children need care from a specialized dental surgeon when they run into dental trauma, have congenital dental conditions that necessitate dentures, or have systemic diseases that affect their oral health. Here are some of the top reasons explained why children might need missing teeth replacements in the form of dentures.
Dental Trauma and Accidents
One of the most common reasons children seek cosmetic teeth replacements like dentures is due to dental trauma from things like car or sports accidents. At such a young age, children’s mouths are still developing and are especially vulnerable to trauma. Whether they suffered tooth loss from an impactful car crash or they knocked their front teeth out by accidentally running into a pole on the playground, it happens.
If a child experiences dental trauma, it’s crucial to contact a skilled oral healthcare provider in the immediate time after the accident. Getting prompt care helps prevent infection and nerve damage, and it might even allow the child to preserve their tooth structure. The chance of successfully reattaching a tooth that was knocked loose is significantly greater in the first hour following the mouth trauma. If it is too late, don’t fret too much—fake teeth that look just like the real deal are still possible with partial dentures.
Congenital Dental Conditions
Sometimes, children need dentures from the get-go. When children are born with conditions that more or less predetermine early tooth loss, childhood dentures and visits to a local oral surgeon who treats children are in the cards. The following are just a few of the congenital conditions that impact a child’s oral health:
- Agenesis – the total absence of one or more teeth. This affects both primary and adult teeth.
- Dentinogenesis Imperfecta – this genetic disorder affects the development of dentin, the material that gives teeth their hardness and toughness. Children with this disorder have teeth that are prone to breakage and loss.
- Ectodermal Dysplasia – a genetic disorder that leads to improper development of multiple areas, including teeth. Children affected by this disorder may have thinner-than-normal tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Teeth may also be missing or irregularly-shaped.
If your child has one of these conditions or something similar, you’ll want to make routine visits to a dental doctor specializing in mouth reconstruction. Even if nothing is visibly wrong with their mouth, developing a relationship with a trusted oral surgeon in your area will set your child up for success, and they’ll be ahead of the curve if and when oral problems do develop.
Dental Neglect and Poor Oral Hygiene
This shouldn’t come as a surprise—poor oral health due to dental neglect is another leading cause in children seeking tooth replacement options. As dentists have told you likely since you were also a kid, neglecting oral hygiene leads to tooth decay and loss if left untreated.
Dental caries, another term for tooth decay, is caused when foods containing carbohydrates are left on the teeth for extended periods of time without brushing it away and flossing. The bacteria living in our mouths take those carbohydrates and create acids. The acids then wear down the tooth structure over time, leaving teeth weak and susceptible to rot and decay. And we all know how much children love sugary snacks.
It’s vitally important to instill good dental hygiene practices in children for this exact reason. Brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day with good technique is the best preventative measure against tooth decay. This combined with regular dental checkups allow issues to be caught early and for action to be taken.
By prioritizing regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene, and addressing dental issues promptly, dental doctors can help ensure that children maintain healthy smiles throughout their lives without having to resort to dentures or tooth implants as an adult.
