Orthodontic Pain

Who is affected?

All children are susceptible to dental pain. For example, most children will experience the discomfort of teething. Teething takes place on and off over a period of several years beginning at 4 months of age and ending at around age 13, although these timelines can vary for each child. The baby, or primary, teeth continue to erupt until a child is 3 years old. Children begin to lose these 20 primary teeth around the age of 6 as adult, or permanent, teeth start to come in. Most children should have 28 permanent teeth by the age of 13. The wisdom teeth will erupt between the ages of 16 and 21 years to make a total of 32 permanent teeth.

However, there are some children who are more prone to pain due to tooth decay:

• Children who do not have fluoridated drinking water have more tooth decay.
• Children who are not taken to the dentist to learn proper oral hygiene and nutrition before dental problems arise tend to have more cavities.
• Children ages 1 to 4 may experience tooth decay from sugary juices in their baby bottles. Bacteria form on the teeth of youngsters who are left to suck on bottles full of juice while sleeping. Sometimes entire teeth can be eaten away.

Thrush can also target specific groups of children:

• Children on antibiotics that destroy the normal protective bacteria of the mouth and throat are more susceptible to thrush.
• Oral or nasally inhaled steroids promote the uncontrolled growth of thrush fungus making children on these medications more susceptible to thrush.