Children's Health and their Dental Problems 
Oral health of children is an important determinant for quality of life, oral health is defined as, a standard of health of the oral and related tissues which enables an individual to eat, speak and socialize without active disease or embarrassment and which contributes to general wellbeing
Oral health must be considered in the context of social, cultural, and environmental factors. Dental disorders has a profound impact on children. The burden of untreated problems cause pain, infection, difficulty in eating or speaking, and poor appearance. All of which present challenges for maintaining self-esteem and attentiveness of learning
The oral cavity or the mouth is the entrance to the body and reflects general health and well-being. The oral cavity is the first portion of the digestive tract has oval shaped and separated into the oral vestibule. Laterally the cavity is bounded by the cheeks, anteriorly by the lips, above by the palate (which separates it from the nasal cavity) and below it has a floor to which the tongue is attached the oropharynx posteriorly. The oropharynx begins superiorly at the junction between the hard palate and the soft palate, and inferiorly behind the circumvallate papillae of the tongue. The bony base of the oral cavity is represented by the maxillary and mandibular bones
Besides smiling, laughing, and communicating, the mouth and teeth serve important functions in the body. Teeth and saliva break-down food, to be easier for absorption by the intestines. The teeth provide structural support for the face. The mouth and throat contain immune cells that help protect the body against pathogens. Taking good care of the mouth and teeth is an essential part of maintaining good health as clear
Morphological and structural features of the tooth
The tooth made up of four tissues: enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp. The first three are known as hard tissues, the last as soft tissues. The major bulk of the tooth is dentin. Each tooth has crown and root or roots, the crown is covered by enamel and the root is covered with cementum. The roots are embedded in alveolar process, the portion of the alveolar process into which the roots are set is called the alveolus or tooth socket. The alveolar processes are covered by the fibrous tissue called gingiva or gum. Dental enamel covers the entire top of the tooth, and is very hard and brittle. Dentin is the intermediate tooth layer and harder than bone. The dentin is a porous form of specialized bone created to provide shock absorbing cushions for dental enamel, surrounds the entirety of the pulp and is capped by dental enamel above and cementum below the gum line
Cementum is the dull yellow external layer of the tooth root and hard as enamel, helps hold the tooth in the socket. but also continues to grow throughout life from cells in the pulp. Pulp is innermost portion of tooth, contains nerve and blood vessels. It provides nourishment and formation of dentin. Nerves and pulp nerves transmit signals (conveying messages like hot, cold, or pain) to and from the brain, the soft center of the tooth and nourishes the dentin, Crown is the visible part of a tooth. Root is the anchor of a tooth that extends into the jawbone.
Dental problems
Dental problems are common among children of all ages. These conditions not only cause pain and discomfort but can also affect the child’s overall health and nutrition status
Dental caries
Dental caries or cavities are one of the most common preventable dis¬eases which is recognized as a sugar-dependent disease. Acid is produced as a by-product of the metabolism of dietary carbohydrate by plaque bacteria, which results in a drop in pH at the tooth surface. In response, calcium and phosphate ions diffuse out of enamel, resulting in demineralization. It is the primary cause of oral pain and tooth loss
Dental caries in children are typically first observed clinically as a "white spot lesion". If the tooth surface remains intact and non –cavitated, then remineralization of the enamel is possible. If the subsurface demineralization of enamel is extensive, it eventually causes the collapse of the overlying tooth surface, resulting in a cavity
Etiology of the caries process
The main factors that interact in the etiology of the carious process are bacteria with colonization within the plaque biofilm. Several hun¬dred different species exist within a complex ecology, dependent on the age and relative stagnancy of the plaque on the tooth surface. Streptococcus mutans, classically thought to be the primary causative bacterial species, is now considered to have an associative role in the caries process
Susceptible tooth surfaces, carious lesions occur on tooth surfaces that have accumulated plaque, stagnating for a pro¬longed period of time, the depths of pits and fissures on posterior occlusal/ buccal sur¬faces of those teeth that the patient cannot clean effectively with a toothbrush. These areas on newly erupting molars are particu¬larly susceptible to carious attack. Proximal surfaces (mesial and distal) cervical to the contact points of adjacent teeth (where the pediatric may not floss regularly, or at all), are more susceptible due to the lack of access for oral hygiene aids
Fermentable carbohydrates, plaque bacteria are capable of metabo¬lizing certain dietary carbohydrates (including sucrose and glucose), producing various organic acids (lactic, acetic acids) at the tooth surface, causing plaque pH to fall within 1–3 minutes, and initiating demineralization if the pH drops to below 5.5 (criti¬cal pH of enamel). The pH can take up to 60 minutes to climb back to normal levels. This normalization being aided by the protective buffering capacity of saliva. This deminer¬alization/ remineralization cycle occurs continuously at any tooth surface, all the time. Even though, the drop in pH commences rapidly, sufficient time is required for the plaque biofilm to produce a net mineral loss equat¬ing to histological hard tissue damage at the tooth surface
Dental caries treatment:
At the early stages of tooth decay, for example, a simple fluoride varnish applied to the affected area may be enough to treat the condition. In addition, life style measures can also be taken that can prevent further decay. In the more advanced stages, where cavities have formed, the decay is removed and the tooth may be filled with a filling or set with a crown. In cases where the inner nerves are exposed and causing severe pain, a root canal treatment is recommended. An excessively damaged tooth may have to be operated on or removed. Fillings are the most common form of treatment the disease. A dental professional drills into the affected area(s) of the teeth, removes the decayed material inside the prepared cavity, and packs this empty space with an appropriate dental filling material
There are different types of filling materials that can be used, depending on the area where caries has occurred. Composite resin, the most common filling material in the developed world, has a great pallet of color which dentists can use to repair caries damage to teeth that are visible when child smile. In the case of back teeth, some dentists prefer using other dental filling materials which are stronger
Crowns are another option for dental professionals when treating dental caries, and are only used when a large proportion of the tooth is destroyed by disease. When tooth decay leads to the need for large fillings, the tooth becomes more prone to cracks and ultimately breaking. The dentist would attempt to salvage the remaining tooth, repair it, and finally, fit the tooth with an alloy or porcelain crown covering (Root canal, another method of treatment as dental caries progresses through the enamel and settles in the center of the tooth, it may even advance further and damage the nerves, which are in the root. A dental professional would remove the damaged or dead nerve with the surrounding blood vessel tissue (pulp) and fill the area. The procedure usually ends with the dentist placing a crown over the affected area. In some cases, the tooth may be damaged beyond repair and must be extracted if there is risk of infection spreading to the jaw bone. The removal of some teeth may affect the alignment of those left in the mouth. So it is recommended that a partial denture, bridge, or implant be inserted in those edentulous areas Abdel Salam, A.A., (2008): Predisposing Factors of Dental Problems Among School Age Children: An Assessment Study, Benha, Egypt, Master Thesis, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University.
Abdel Salam, A.A., (2011): Effect of Educational Intervention on Quality of Life of School Age Children With Dental Problems, Benha, Egypt, PHD Thesis, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University.
Al Oufi, A.A. and Omar, O.M., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge and Practices of Mothers toward Their Children’s Oral Health, British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 15(10); 1-10.
Al-Darwish, M.S., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge, Behavior and Practices Among School Children in Qatar, Dental Research Journal, 13 (4):342-353.
Ali, M., (2014): A Pilot Study on Oral Health Knowledge of Parents Related to Dental Caries of Their Children, Karachi, Pakistan, Master thesis, Umeå University.
Al-Omiri, M.K., Al-Wahadni, A.M. and Saeed, K.N., (2006): Oral Health Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Among School Children in North Jordan, Journal of Dental Education, 3(9): 22-31.
Al-Oufi, A.A. and Omar, O.M., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge and Practices of Mothers toward Their Children’s Oral Health in Al Madinah, KSA, British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 15(10): 1-10.
Al Subait, A.A., Alousaimi, S.M., Geeverghese, A., Ali, A. and El Metwally, A., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior among Students of Age 10–18 Years Old Attending Jenadriyah Festival Riyadh; A Cross-Sectional Study, The Saudi Journal for Dental Research, 7(1):45-50.
Andegiorgish, A.K., Weldemariam, B.W., Kifle, M.M., Mebrahtu, F.G., Zewde, H.K., Tewelde, M.G., Hussen, M.A. and Tsegay, W.K., (2017): Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors Among 12 Years Old Students in Eritrea, BMC Oral Health Journal, 3(2): 17-169.
Ayele, F.A., Taye, B.W., Ayele, T.A. and Gelay, K.A., (2013): Predictors of Dental Caries Among Children 7–14 Years Old in Northwest Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study, BMC Oral Health Journal, 13(7): 98-108.
Bhattarai, R., Khanal, S., Rao, G.N. and Shrestha, S., (2016): Oral Health Related Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Nursing Students of Kathmandu, A Pilot Study, JCMS, Nepal, 12(4):160-8.
Correa, M.B., Schuch, H.S., Collares, K., Torriani, D.D., Hallal, P.C. and Demarco, F.F., (2011): Survey on The Occurrence of Dental Trauma and Preventive Strategies among Brazilian, Oral Science Journal, 18(6):572-6.
Dechssa, M., Cherie, M. and Luelseged, B., (2016): Tooth Brushing Practice and Its Determinants among Adults Attending Dental Health Institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, International Journal, 3(2): 58-73.
Dotado-Maderazo, J.U. and Reyes, J.B., (2014): Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Oral Health of Public School Children of Batangas City, Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(4): 76-84.
Elsabagh, H.M., Atlam, S.A. and Shehab, N.S., (2016): Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Personal Hygiene among Preschool Children, International Journal of Medical Research Professionals Knowledge, 2(2): 61-255.
George, B. and Mulamoottil, V., (2015): Oral Health Status of 5, 12, and 15-Year-Old School Children in Tiruvalla, Kerala, India, Journal of Dentistry and Medical Research, 3(1): 15-19.
Hans, R., Thomas, S., Dagli, R., Bhateja, G.A., Sharma, A. and Singh, A., (2014): Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Children and Adolescent of Orphanages in Jodhpur City Rajasthan, India, Journal of Clinical and Diagnosis Research, 8(10): 22-25.
Jabeen, C. and Umbreen, G., (2017): Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among School Children, Lahore, Journal of The Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, 16(3): 176-80.
Kabir, S., Gul, R. and Begum, S., (2013): Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Oral Hygiene in School Going Children of Both Genders, Aged 10–15 Years, 3(2):18-40.
Kumar, S. and Joshi, D., (2017): Awareness of Dental Hygiene Amongst The Primary School Children of Low Socio-Economic Strata, International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 4(1): 28-35.
Lexomboon, D., Carlson, C., Andersson, R., Bultzingslowen, I. and Mensah, T., (2016): Incidence and Causes of Dental Trauma in Children Living in The county of Vearmland, Sweden, Dental Research Journal, 32(1):58-64.
Oral health of children is an important determinant for quality of life, oral health is defined as, a standard of health of the oral and related tissues which enables an individual to eat, speak and socialize without active disease or embarrassment and which contributes to general wellbeing
Oral health must be considered in the context of social, cultural, and environmental factors. Dental disorders has a profound impact on children. The burden of untreated problems cause pain, infection, difficulty in eating or speaking, and poor appearance. All of which present challenges for maintaining self-esteem and attentiveness of learning
The oral cavity or the mouth is the entrance to the body and reflects general health and well-being. The oral cavity is the first portion of the digestive tract has oval shaped and separated into the oral vestibule. Laterally the cavity is bounded by the cheeks, anteriorly by the lips, above by the palate (which separates it from the nasal cavity) and below it has a floor to which the tongue is attached the oropharynx posteriorly. The oropharynx begins superiorly at the junction between the hard palate and the soft palate, and inferiorly behind the circumvallate papillae of the tongue. The bony base of the oral cavity is represented by the maxillary and mandibular bones
Besides smiling, laughing, and communicating, the mouth and teeth serve important functions in the body. Teeth and saliva break-down food, to be easier for absorption by the intestines. The teeth provide structural support for the face. The mouth and throat contain immune cells that help protect the body against pathogens. Taking good care of the mouth and teeth is an essential part of maintaining good health as clear
Morphological and structural features of the tooth
The tooth made up of four tissues: enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp. The first three are known as hard tissues, the last as soft tissues. The major bulk of the tooth is dentin. Each tooth has crown and root or roots, the crown is covered by enamel and the root is covered with cementum. The roots are embedded in alveolar process, the portion of the alveolar process into which the roots are set is called the alveolus or tooth socket. The alveolar processes are covered by the fibrous tissue called gingiva or gum. Dental enamel covers the entire top of the tooth, and is very hard and brittle. Dentin is the intermediate tooth layer and harder than bone. The dentin is a porous form of specialized bone created to provide shock absorbing cushions for dental enamel, surrounds the entirety of the pulp and is capped by dental enamel above and cementum below the gum line
Cementum is the dull yellow external layer of the tooth root and hard as enamel, helps hold the tooth in the socket. but also continues to grow throughout life from cells in the pulp. Pulp is innermost portion of tooth, contains nerve and blood vessels. It provides nourishment and formation of dentin. Nerves and pulp nerves transmit signals (conveying messages like hot, cold, or pain) to and from the brain, the soft center of the tooth and nourishes the dentin, Crown is the visible part of a tooth. Root is the anchor of a tooth that extends into the jawbone.
Dental problems
Dental problems are common among children of all ages. These conditions not only cause pain and discomfort but can also affect the child’s overall health and nutrition status
Dental caries
Dental caries or cavities are one of the most common preventable dis¬eases which is recognized as a sugar-dependent disease. Acid is produced as a by-product of the metabolism of dietary carbohydrate by plaque bacteria, which results in a drop in pH at the tooth surface. In response, calcium and phosphate ions diffuse out of enamel, resulting in demineralization. It is the primary cause of oral pain and tooth loss
Dental caries in children are typically first observed clinically as a "white spot lesion". If the tooth surface remains intact and non –cavitated, then remineralization of the enamel is possible. If the subsurface demineralization of enamel is extensive, it eventually causes the collapse of the overlying tooth surface, resulting in a cavity
Etiology of the caries process
The main factors that interact in the etiology of the carious process are bacteria with colonization within the plaque biofilm. Several hun¬dred different species exist within a complex ecology, dependent on the age and relative stagnancy of the plaque on the tooth surface. Streptococcus mutans, classically thought to be the primary causative bacterial species, is now considered to have an associative role in the caries process
Susceptible tooth surfaces, carious lesions occur on tooth surfaces that have accumulated plaque, stagnating for a pro¬longed period of time, the depths of pits and fissures on posterior occlusal/ buccal sur¬faces of those teeth that the patient cannot clean effectively with a toothbrush. These areas on newly erupting molars are particu¬larly susceptible to carious attack. Proximal surfaces (mesial and distal) cervical to the contact points of adjacent teeth (where the pediatric may not floss regularly, or at all), are more susceptible due to the lack of access for oral hygiene aids
Fermentable carbohydrates, plaque bacteria are capable of metabo¬lizing certain dietary carbohydrates (including sucrose and glucose), producing various organic acids (lactic, acetic acids) at the tooth surface, causing plaque pH to fall within 1–3 minutes, and initiating demineralization if the pH drops to below 5.5 (criti¬cal pH of enamel). The pH can take up to 60 minutes to climb back to normal levels. This normalization being aided by the protective buffering capacity of saliva. This deminer¬alization/ remineralization cycle occurs continuously at any tooth surface, all the time. Even though, the drop in pH commences rapidly, sufficient time is required for the plaque biofilm to produce a net mineral loss equat¬ing to histological hard tissue damage at the tooth surface
Dental caries treatment:
At the early stages of tooth decay, for example, a simple fluoride varnish applied to the affected area may be enough to treat the condition. In addition, life style measures can also be taken that can prevent further decay. In the more advanced stages, where cavities have formed, the decay is removed and the tooth may be filled with a filling or set with a crown. In cases where the inner nerves are exposed and causing severe pain, a root canal treatment is recommended. An excessively damaged tooth may have to be operated on or removed. Fillings are the most common form of treatment the disease. A dental professional drills into the affected area(s) of the teeth, removes the decayed material inside the prepared cavity, and packs this empty space with an appropriate dental filling material
There are different types of filling materials that can be used, depending on the area where caries has occurred. Composite resin, the most common filling material in the developed world, has a great pallet of color which dentists can use to repair caries damage to teeth that are visible when child smile. In the case of back teeth, some dentists prefer using other dental filling materials which are stronger
Crowns are another option for dental professionals when treating dental caries, and are only used when a large proportion of the tooth is destroyed by disease. When tooth decay leads to the need for large fillings, the tooth becomes more prone to cracks and ultimately breaking. The dentist would attempt to salvage the remaining tooth, repair it, and finally, fit the tooth with an alloy or porcelain crown covering (Root canal, another method of treatment as dental caries progresses through the enamel and settles in the center of the tooth, it may even advance further and damage the nerves, which are in the root. A dental professional would remove the damaged or dead nerve with the surrounding blood vessel tissue (pulp) and fill the area. The procedure usually ends with the dentist placing a crown over the affected area. In some cases, the tooth may be damaged beyond repair and must be extracted if there is risk of infection spreading to the jaw bone. The removal of some teeth may affect the alignment of those left in the mouth. So it is recommended that a partial denture, bridge, or implant be inserted in those edentulous areas Abdel Salam, A.A., (2008): Predisposing Factors of Dental Problems Among School Age Children: An Assessment Study, Benha, Egypt, Master Thesis, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University.
Abdel Salam, A.A., (2011): Effect of Educational Intervention on Quality of Life of School Age Children With Dental Problems, Benha, Egypt, PHD Thesis, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University.
Al Oufi, A.A. and Omar, O.M., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge and Practices of Mothers toward Their Children’s Oral Health, British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 15(10); 1-10.
Al-Darwish, M.S., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge, Behavior and Practices Among School Children in Qatar, Dental Research Journal, 13 (4):342-353.
Ali, M., (2014): A Pilot Study on Oral Health Knowledge of Parents Related to Dental Caries of Their Children, Karachi, Pakistan, Master thesis, Umeå University.
Al-Omiri, M.K., Al-Wahadni, A.M. and Saeed, K.N., (2006): Oral Health Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Among School Children in North Jordan, Journal of Dental Education, 3(9): 22-31.
Al-Oufi, A.A. and Omar, O.M., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge and Practices of Mothers toward Their Children’s Oral Health in Al Madinah, KSA, British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 15(10): 1-10.
Al Subait, A.A., Alousaimi, S.M., Geeverghese, A., Ali, A. and El Metwally, A., (2016): Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior among Students of Age 10–18 Years Old Attending Jenadriyah Festival Riyadh; A Cross-Sectional Study, The Saudi Journal for Dental Research, 7(1):45-50.
Andegiorgish, A.K., Weldemariam, B.W., Kifle, M.M., Mebrahtu, F.G., Zewde, H.K., Tewelde, M.G., Hussen, M.A. and Tsegay, W.K., (2017): Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors Among 12 Years Old Students in Eritrea, BMC Oral Health Journal, 3(2): 17-169.
Ayele, F.A., Taye, B.W., Ayele, T.A. and Gelay, K.A., (2013): Predictors of Dental Caries Among Children 7–14 Years Old in Northwest Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study, BMC Oral Health Journal, 13(7): 98-108.
Bhattarai, R., Khanal, S., Rao, G.N. and Shrestha, S., (2016): Oral Health Related Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Nursing Students of Kathmandu, A Pilot Study, JCMS, Nepal, 12(4):160-8.
Correa, M.B., Schuch, H.S., Collares, K., Torriani, D.D., Hallal, P.C. and Demarco, F.F., (2011): Survey on The Occurrence of Dental Trauma and Preventive Strategies among Brazilian, Oral Science Journal, 18(6):572-6.
Dechssa, M., Cherie, M. and Luelseged, B., (2016): Tooth Brushing Practice and Its Determinants among Adults Attending Dental Health Institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, International Journal, 3(2): 58-73.
Dotado-Maderazo, J.U. and Reyes, J.B., (2014): Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Oral Health of Public School Children of Batangas City, Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(4): 76-84.
Elsabagh, H.M., Atlam, S.A. and Shehab, N.S., (2016): Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Personal Hygiene among Preschool Children, International Journal of Medical Research Professionals Knowledge, 2(2): 61-255.
George, B. and Mulamoottil, V., (2015): Oral Health Status of 5, 12, and 15-Year-Old School Children in Tiruvalla, Kerala, India, Journal of Dentistry and Medical Research, 3(1): 15-19.
Hans, R., Thomas, S., Dagli, R., Bhateja, G.A., Sharma, A. and Singh, A., (2014): Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Children and Adolescent of Orphanages in Jodhpur City Rajasthan, India, Journal of Clinical and Diagnosis Research, 8(10): 22-25.
Jabeen, C. and Umbreen, G., (2017): Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among School Children, Lahore, Journal of The Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, 16(3): 176-80.
Kabir, S., Gul, R. and Begum, S., (2013): Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Oral Hygiene in School Going Children of Both Genders, Aged 10–15 Years, 3(2):18-40.
Kumar, S. and Joshi, D., (2017): Awareness of Dental Hygiene Amongst The Primary School Children of Low Socio-Economic Strata, International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 4(1): 28-35.
Lexomboon, D., Carlson, C., Andersson, R., Bultzingslowen, I. and Mensah, T., (2016): Incidence and Causes of Dental Trauma in Children Living in The county of Vearmland, Sweden, Dental Research Journal, 32(1):58-64.
0 Comments