#kidsteeth

It’s 9 p.m. Your child says their tooth hurts. You try to peek inside their mouth while they squirm, and suddenly you’re wondering, “How did this even happen? We brush every day!” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Early childhood is full of little dental surprises — some totally preventable, others just part of growing up.

As a pediatric dentist in dubai, I often see parents who feel confused or even guilty about their child’s dental issues. The truth? Kids’ teeth go through a lot, and small habits make a big difference.

Let’s talk about the most common problems and how to stay one step ahead.

Tooth Decay Sneaks Up Fast

Cavities are the number one issue in young kids. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth, so sugar and bacteria can do damage quickly.

It’s not just candy. Juice, flavored milk, crackers, and even “healthy” snacks like dried fruit can stick to teeth. When kids sip or snack often, their teeth don’t get a break.

If decay isn’t caught early, a simple problem can turn into needing a tooth filling in kids, which is safe but something we’d rather avoid when possible.

Prevention tip: Try to keep snacks at set times and offer water between meals. Nighttime brushing is especially important because saliva (which helps protect teeth) slows down while kids sleep.

Gum Problems Aren’t Just for Adults

Parents are often surprised to hear that children can get gum inflammation too. If you notice red, puffy gums or a little bleeding during brushing, that’s a sign plaque is sitting near the gumline.

This usually happens when kids rush through brushing or avoid the back teeth.

Prevention tip: Help your child brush until they have the coordination to do it well alone (usually around age 7–8). Think of it like tying shoes — they need supervision for a while.

Early Tooth Loss

Baby teeth are supposed to fall out — but not too early. When a tooth is lost because of decay or injury, nearby teeth may drift into that empty space.

That can lead to crowding problems later when adult teeth try to come in.

Prevention tip: Protect teeth during play with mouthguards for sports, and don’t ignore cavities in baby teeth just because they’ll “fall out anyway.” They hold space for future teeth.

Dental Injuries Happen in Seconds

Kids run. They jump. They trip. A bumped or chipped tooth can happen before you even process what just happened.

Falls, playground accidents, and sports are the most common causes.

Knowing where to go for kids emergency dental care can make a huge difference. Quick attention sometimes saves the tooth and reduces long-term problems.

Prevention tip: Childproof sharp furniture edges at home, and use helmets and mouthguards when needed.

Thumb Sucking & Pacifier Effects

These habits are completely normal in babies and toddlers. The issue is when they continue for many years.

Long-term sucking habits can affect how the front teeth line up and how the jaws grow.

Prevention tip: Most children naturally stop between ages 2–4. Gentle encouragement works better than pressure. Talk to a dentist if the habit continues past preschool years.

Enamel Weakness

Some kids have naturally softer enamel. Their teeth may look chalky, yellowish, or have grooves. These teeth can develop cavities more easily, even with decent brushing habits.

Parents often feel frustrated because they’re “doing everything right.”

Prevention tip: Regular dental checkups help spot this early. Dentists can suggest protective treatments and guide you on the right toothpaste and diet adjustments.

The “I Don’t Want to Brush” Phase

Let’s be honest — most kids go through it. They’re tired, distracted, or just testing limits.

But skipped brushing adds up. Plaque hardens into tartar, which can’t be brushed away at home.

Prevention tip: Make brushing playful. Songs, timers, brushing charts, or brushing together as a family can turn resistance into routine.

A Little Expert Insight

Young children don’t always feel dental problems the same way adults do. A cavity can grow quietly without obvious pain at first. That’s why regular checkups matter — they catch small issues before they turn into big ones. Prevention in early childhood is less about treatment and more about building daily habits that protect teeth long-term.

The Big Picture

Most early dental problems don’t start with one big mistake. They usually come from small daily habits — frequent snacking, rushed brushing, or waiting too long between dental visits.

Much like a manual toothbrush, electric brushes are only beneficial if they’re used correctly.

Children who use either a manual or electric toothbrush with a fluoridated toothpaste twice a day are less likely to develop tooth decay and cavities . It’s also important to note that brush heads should be changed out regularly.

8 simple tips to protect child teeth from cavity | குழைந்தைகளின் பல்லை பாதுகாக்க 8 எளிய வழிமுறைகள்

Want to keep your child's teeth healthy and cavity-free?

Teach your child to brush their teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste

Avoid giving your child sugary drinks and snacks.

Encourage to eat water-dense fruits and vegetables

Make sure your child's diet includes plenty of calcium and vitamin D.

Gargling every time after eat

Oil pulling with coconut oil at least weekly once

Rinsing mouth using salt water

Visit the dentist regularly. The dentist can help spot any problems with your child’s teeth and can provide professional cleanings.

A cultural anecdote.

The setting is a grand hospital in one of the fashionable Eastern parts of Singapore. As we walk in through the big sliding doors, the first thing that meets my eye is a Starbucks! I'm confused... am I on the right path to the kid's dentist or on my way into a mail? 

In Denmark, you automatically get a letter from the public health service when your child turns 2. "Turn up at the dental department for children, at this specific date and this specific time". Not much choice really. This is the dentist your child has been designated and this is the day and time you are going. 

Switching back to the land of plenty and private healthcare. After much research on the Singapore Expat wives Facebook page, I've booked an appointment with The Kids's Dental World, which according to the information desk, is on the 8th floor or what appears to be a private hospital - with good coffee it seems...

Despite the fact that we are going to the dentist, my kids actually seem excited. Had they known what was coming, they would have been jumping into the lift and dancing to the clinic!

We're late, finding the right parking basement wasn't easy and my experience with Singapore receptionists is a phone call on the second you're supposed to be there, saying 'you have an appointment now..?'. But hey, no phone call, relaxed receptionist who tells us to take it easy and who immediately make good contact with the kids. 

And then my eyes pan to the right. First a flashback to the kids dentist in Copenhagen with 3 warn books and an old teddybear, and my eyes roll at the sight of the waiting room. A wall of books, a train track in children level, a flatscreen with a cartoon running and....well of course...playstation with a touch screen. 

I'm not sure if Singapore dentists are scared of scared children. Perhaps they are trying to entertain while numbing the kids into thinking they're really visiting a fun fair and not a horrible evil dentist with a terrifying drill in one hand. Whatever the case, it works this far. The kids are ecstatic about the place and the mother pretty astounded about what the pennies can do. 

Our new recommended dentist finally appears and continue the adventure by speaking to the kids as if they're about to enter Disneyland. From a Danish perspective, a little over the top in terms of distracting them from the real reason behind the visit, but the kids buy into to it. Especially when another flatscreen appears inside the clinic screening "Madagascar" in the ceiling. Philip, 5, now feels surprisingly comfortable in the dentist chair and also looks the part when the dentist hands him a pair of sunglasses, to protect his poor little eyes from the terrible dentist lamp!

Ok, I'm ready, entertainment went well, glasses are on, film is on, now teeth please. But no, a children's story book comes out telling my children all about teeth, germs and how to get rid of them.... Ok.  Now they know all about the baddies, Philip finally open his mouth.... He pays more attention to the moving animals in the ceiling, but is back on track, when the fluorescent paint is presented. The paint I remember all too well from school - disguised as a pill - that tells - in quite detail - how bad or well you've brushed your gums. 2 seconds later Philip's teeth looks like something out of Monsters Inc, and Sienna, 3 , follows the procedure, now terrified. 

Back to being white, Philip and his teeth are finally done. Sienna's next, but she isn't getting near the comfy chair. The screens, the storytelling, the glasses - all good, but no teeth dye is going into her mouth or other tools operated by the monster dentist is going in there either. It was a very quick dental check for Sienna. 

And now mummy's turn. We go through 3 points, pen to paper on how to feed the kids, brush and floss. I'm not so much wiser, but she's taking her time with us and that's appreciative.

And then the exciting moment...is she, like any other doctor, shop, kindergarten etc. in Singapore, going to reward my kids with a sweetie, perhaps a balloon also? It would be amazing and ironic. But sigh of relief - a Barbie and Spiderman toothbrush appears and my two (slightly disappointed) children leave the clinic - and their mum - a cultural experience wiser.