Mouth Ulcers and Your Child

Mouth Ulcers and Your Child

Seeing an ulcer in your child’s mouth can be disconcerting, especially if the sore causes pain. A relatively common condition, mouth ulcers in children typically are either canker sores, cold sores (caused by the herpes simplex virus) or hand-foot-mouth (HFM) disease (caused by the Coxsackie A-16 virus). The first step in helping your child deal with mouth ulcers is diagnosing the underlying cause.

Canker sores—one to three small, white ulcers that usually pop up on the inside of cheeks and lips, as well as on the tongue and gums—are the most common mouth ulcers in general but are rare in children under the age of 10. There’s evidence that heredity might play a role in the development of canker sores. Other culprits are vitamin deficiencies, stress and food sensitivities. While canker sores can last up to two weeks, they aren’t contagious. There’s not much anyone can do about them other than trying home remedies.

If your child is prone to canker sores, you can try to reduce outbreaks by avoiding abrasive, salty, spicy or acidic foods; choosing dental products without sodium lauryl sulfate, a chemical that has been linked to canker sores; and brushing with a soft-bristled brush to minimize trauma to the mouth. If canker sores become a chronic problem, we may also recommend testing for food allergies or vitamin deficiencies.

If your child suddenly develops numerous mouth ulcers accompanied by fever, it might be cold sores or HFM disease. Since these viral conditions are contagious, call your pediatrician if you suspect your child has one or the other.

As long as no underlying health issue needs to be addressed, caring for a child with mouth ulcers is all about comfort. Ask us about home treatments like baking soda salves, as well as over-the-counter analgesics for pain. Offer a soft diet, and make sure your child stays hydrated. And, as always, if you have any questions or concerns, or if you think your child’s ulcers might be related to a dental problem, don’t hesitate to call us and schedule an appointment at KiDDS Dental.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.

Mouth Breathing: Why It Matters

Mouth Breathing: Why It Matters

Let’s say your child has a stuffy nose for a few days and you notice that, understandably enough, he or she is breathing mostly through the mouth rather than through the nostrils. No long-term harm will result from that temporary change.

But if a child breathes through the mouth as a matter of course, week in and week out, cold or no cold, that is a cause for significant concern.

Here’s why. If left untreated, chronic mouth breathing can cause

• abnormally elongated facial development
• crowded, crooked permanent teeth that are prone to decay
• a “gummy” smile (gums more prominent than in the average smile)
• frequent upper respiratory infections
• poor school performance due to sleep deprivation caused by snoring or apnea
• possible erroneous diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• bad breath, chronically chapped lips and abnormally fibrous gums

Mouth breathing almost always has a physiological cause rather than being a “habit.” The most common causes include chronic nasal obstruction, enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils, and allergies. If the underlying cause can be successfully treated, the mouth breathing will likely subside, with no or few permanent effects. If still breathing through the mouth by age 7, your child should see an orthodontist, who may recommend palate expansion to correct misaligned teeth and abnormal facial development. We will help your child by working in conjunction with your other medical professionals, including an ear, nose and throat doctor, an allergist and, of course, an orthodontist.

If you are not sure whether your child is a mouth breather, look for these signs:

• frequently has his or her mouth open at rest, especially while sleeping
• dark circles under the eyes
• subtle changes in facial shape
• tends to be more tired and listless than others the same age

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Bring your concerns to Dr. Jared and to your pediatrician. Make appointments at KiDDS Dental for evaluations and get your questions answered. Sadly, mouth breathing is often underreported and undertreated. But diligent observation and action can keep your child from suffering any long-term effects from mouth breathing.

Give us a call at 509-891-7070 to schedule today!