I’m a dentist – never ignore these symptoms in children

Dental health is extremely important, and if ignored, can swiftly lead to expensive issues as an adult. If you have children at home, there are a few issues that can arise quickly.

Children’s dental health needs attention, and Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, a London-based dentist with Longevita Dental, has shared the six signs you should never ignore. The first is to do with the shape of your children’s teeth. If your little one has ‘peg shaped’ teeth, this could be a sign of other problems. Dr Gizem said if your children’s teeth look like small inverted triangles, it could be indicative of wider health issues.

“A possible cause can be congenital syphilis, which can cause “Hutchinson’s teeth.” It can make the teeth appear peg-shaped with wide spaces between them. Such teeth also have a crescent-like notch on the biting surface.

“Also, the molars may appear to have abnormally bumpy elevations, resembling a mulberry, which is why they are specifically referred to as Mulberry molars.”

Peg-shaped teeth can occur in association with certain other health conditions, such as Down’s syndrome, ectodermal dysplasia or William’s syndrome.

“It’s also possible that your child simply inherited these teeth from you or your partner, but it’s always best to be sure.”

The second sign to be aware of is if your child’s teeth appear translucent or see through. She said: “If your child’s teeth look transparent or translucent, something is definitely wrong with them.

“It can be caused by a variety of conditions, one of which is enamel hypoplasia. Basically, it's a developmental defect that results in a deficient or defective enamel, thus making the teeth more susceptible to decay.

"Its causes are varied, some of which include genetic disorders, celiac disease, liver disease, kidney disease, infection, trauma, and toxic chemical exposure.”

It could also be diet related. Dr Gizem said: “Sweet and acidic foods can cause enamel erosion. Candy and fizzy drinks are obvious culprits, but fruit juices can also erode enamel, causing teeth to appear transparent.”

If your child has missing teeth that haven’t fallen out it can be another warning sign. Dr Gizem explained: “Children can be born with missing permanent teeth — either a few or even all of them. This is known as tooth agenesis.

“It can make it difficult for your child to speak and eat normally, and the teeth may have to be artificially replaced with medical devices like implants, bridges or dentures.”

This can be inherited from you or your partner but can also occur in association with genetic disorders like Down’s Syndrome or ectodermal dysplasia.

However, its causes can also be environmental, such as trauma, infection and exposure to toxic drugs.

Fracture prone teeth are another indication something might be wrong. Dr Gizem said: “A calcium deficiency can make teeth weaker, brittle and more vulnerable to fracture, which is true for children and adults alike.

“You need calcium to maintain healthy enamel and gum tissue. But when you or your child has a calcium deficiency, whether because of vitamin D deficiency, poor diet or a health condition like a thyroid or kidney issue, the teeth become more vulnerable to cavities. Also, tooth loss is possible, so you must take it seriously.”

Similar to peg shaped teeth, abnormally small teeth can indicate wider issues. Dr Gizem said: “If your child's teeth are unusually small, it might be due to a condition called microdontia, which can be caused both by genetics and environmental factors.”

Teeth in microdontia can also appear peg-shaped with noticeable gaps between them. It can also cause problems with tooth alignment.

“Children may be less confident about the shape and appearance of their teeth in such cases, but this condition can also affect their ability to pronounce words clearly or chew food properly, which is why dental intervention might be necessary.”

The final thing to watch out for is a dry mouth. She said: “It might seem that a dry mouth is not as serious as some of the other oral health problems, but it increases the risk of decay, infection and gum disease. Additionally, it can make your child's breath smell bad.”

A dry mouth can also be caused by factors such as dehydration or mouth breathing, according to the dentist, but a proper diagnosis is necessary.