You want to ensure your children are growing healthily and steadily. One of the best ways to do so is to help them maintain basic oral hygiene. Do your part by scheduling them for their regular dental visits at least twice a year. Even if your child has had a regular checkup, you may need to make an additional appointment with your local pediatric dentist if you notice the following issues.

1. Decay

It's no secret that children love sweets. While sugar may taste good, it can unfortunately wreak havoc on their teeth. If you notice brown spots developing on your child's teeth, that's usually a sign of decay. If your pediatric dentist catches the decay early enough, they can use fillings to treat the affected teeth. They can also apply a protective sealant to prevent decay from growing further. If it seems like decay is a major issue, your dentist can also teach your child the proper way to brush and maintain oral health.

2. Swollen Gums

Gums can swell for several reasons. If you brush your teeth too rough, the gums may temporarily swell. Unfortunately, swollen or red gums can also be early signs of gum disease. Gums can also be injured, bleed, or become swollen because of an oral injury from a child's fall or biting on something that they shouldn't. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned emergency dental care, and over $45 billion in U.S. productivity is lost each year due to untreated dental disease.

3. Sleep Apnea

Unfortunately, sleep apnea isn't just a problem that adults suffer from. Your child may show signs of sleep apnea through fatigue, grumpiness, or cognition problems. Even if they went to bed and slept for the necessary hours, with sleep apnea, they may not have had a restful sleep. Sleep apnea results from a blockage of the airway that can happen if your child has a misaligned jaw. A visit to the local pediatric dentist can check your child's jaw alignment and see if that's causing sleep problems. If necessary, they can recommend that your child see the local orthodontist for proper care.

These are just a few reasons to make an immediate appointment with your child's pediatric dentist. Your dental professional can ensure your child has healthy teeth and gums and handle emergencies that may arise. For an experienced and compassionate pediatric dentist you can trust, contact Campos Family Dental for an appointment.