As a parent, you are probably used to having health concerns about your children. After all, it is easy to find yourself scared because they are in pain. Dental issues may not be as obvious as some of the more overt health issues, but this does not make them any less of a concern. Do you think your child may be facing a dental issue? These are the most common issues that children face when they see the pediatric dentist.

1. Tooth Decay Caused by Bottles

All too many children experience tooth decay as a result of drinking from baby bottles. This so-called nursing bottle syndrome occurs when sugars from milks, formulas, and juices stay in the child's mouth as they sleep. This even occurs with breastfed children who fall asleep with milk in their mouths. Bacteria thrives off this sugar, leading to early dental decay.

2. Damage Caused by Thumb Sucking

Believe it or not, there is a reason why people encourage children not to suck on their thumbs. As teeth grow in, sucking can push them out of alignment. The teeth may protrude from the mouth or ultimately lead to an overbite of the top teeth. Unfortunately, this often also leads to issues with speech. Sucking on the lower lip and thrusting the tongue upward can have similar results.

3. Gum Disease

Children are not immune to gingivitis and similar issues. Plaque leads to swelling of the gums, to the point that they may even bleed. If you notice that your child's gums bleed during brushing, you may need to look into gum disease.

4. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

Hot and cold foods can cause discomfort in children, often because enamel has worn down and caused the gums to recede. Small cracks in the teeth can lead to painful sensitivity you may not even be aware of. The dentist may be able to treat these issues with fluoride and desensitization pastes.

5. Tooth Grinding

Bruxism, more commonly known as tooth grinding, is an involuntary action that many children perform while they are sleeping. It often disappears with age, but in the meantime it can wear away permanent teeth and cause pain in the jaw muscles.

Not sure what to do about your child's dental issue? It is important to speak with a pediatric dentist right away. Early intervention could be the key to solving some of his or her problems.