Seeing your child in pain from a toothache is distressing, and you'll want to get your child to your family dentist right away for treatment. While seeing a dentist for a toothache is pretty obvious, there are other signs your child should see a dentist that you might overlook. It's a good idea to supervise young children when they brush you so can examine their teeth and gums to catch problems early. Here are some conditions you might want your dentist to check.

Bleeding When Your Child Brushes

Bleeding can be a sign of gum disease, so you'll want your dentist to take a look. Gum disease can be treated easily when it's first starting, and bleeding during brushing is usually a first sign. Your dentist may clean your child's teeth and then recommend that you brush your child's teeth until they are able to do it well on their own. Also, a softer bristle may be less irritating to sensitive young gums.

Pain From Hot Or Cold Foods

If you notice your child wincing when they eat ice cream or drink a cold beverage, it could be a sign of sensitive teeth. Different things can cause this condition, and one of them is a cavity. Filling a cavity early is important for preventing a toothache later when the cavity is larger and infected. If there's no cavity, then your dentist will uncover the cause of tooth sensitivity and recommend treatment that controls the pain.

Discoloration On The Teeth

It's a good practice to have tooth discoloration checked by a dentist. You may see white spots, gray discoloration, or black spots on the teeth. These can indicate some sort of damage to the tooth or a cavity. An older child might try to hide a cavity to keep from going to the dentist if they have a fear of dentists. However, having a cavity filled when it's small and not causing pain is much better than waiting until the tooth is painful. Plus, if a cavity in a permanent tooth gets bad enough, it might need a root canal and crown that could have been prevented otherwise.

When A Tooth Is Loose

A loose baby tooth is no cause for alarm, but if your older child has permanent teeth and one becomes loose, it's a good idea to see your dentist as soon as possible. The tooth may have been bumped playing sports or during a fall, and if it's treated early, your dentist may be able to save it by splinting it to another tooth.

In addition to watching for signs of dental problems, you'll want to have your child's teeth examined regularly by a dentist. Your dentist uses tools and even x-rays to get a good look at the condition of your child's teeth so problems can be caught and treated early. You can visit sites like http://www.vanyodentistry.com for more information.