Snoring is a noise that releases from our mouths when we sleep. It occurs when the muscles and soft tissues relax in the throat and mouth, which causes the tissues to vibrate as we breathe in and out. Snoring is a well-known medical condition that affects both adults and children alike. Some of the causes of snoring include teeth alignment causing limited airspace, excess body weight, or sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that stops you from breathing, regularly, while asleep. Breathing may stop 20-30-times per hour, which impacts your overall health because it prevents your brain from getting to the REM cycle of sleep and leaves you feeling drowsy during the day. Some symptoms that can be found when struggling with sleep apnea are, tiredness, lack of concentration, irritability, poor memory, and headaches. If your child is struggling with any of these symptoms, give us a call today to schedule a visit to discuss possible sleep apnea solutions.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a strong smell that remains in our mouths for an extended period. If your child is struggling with bad breath, it may be due to dental issues, mouth infections, dry mouth, or other causes. Bacteria is most likely lodged in between the teeth, which is why we recommend following a strict dental regime that includes flossing, brushing, and mouthwash twice a day to remove any debris that may be settling. If bad breath does not resolve, we suggest scheduling a visit at our office to track down what is causing the issue.

Bleeding gums can be caused by brushing teeth too aggressively, however, bleeding is also a common symptom of gum disease. This occurs when bacteria are stuck to our teeth, which resulted in the build-up of plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which irritates our gums and increases the chances of bleeding and periodontitis.

Cavities are areas of teeth that have become decayed, resulting in holes in our teeth. Cavities are caused by the build-up of plaque, a substance that sits on our teeth and is made of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. Although cavities begin small, there is the chance for them to become larger if they are left untreated. Cavities are difficult to see because most do not show pain in the beginning, however, by visiting our office, cavities can be caught early using digital x-rays.

Cold sores are small blisters that form near the mouth which are commonly connected to the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are complex because some patients who carry the virus do not have breakouts; however, those who have a weak immune system or high stress, may find themselves getting cold sores more often. Some symptoms that arise during a cold sore breakout are burning sensations on the lips or face, raised red blisters, fever, and muscle aches.

Gum disease is branched from gingivitis, which is an inflammation of our gums. This commonly happens due to poor oral hygiene and results in swollen gums and bleeding when brushing or flossing. However, as gingivitis becomes gum disease, also known as periodontitis, gums may become swollen, red, and lead to recession.

Oral cancer starts with the cells in our mouths which slowly become a tumour as cells group together and destroy tissue. It looks like a small sore, but it does not go away, which should cause suspicion. It can develop on multiple areas around our mouths, such as: the lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, or under the tongue.

Tooth sensitivity can be uncomfortable. If your child experiences tooth sensitivity when they eat or drink hot or cold items, this can be a sign of cavities or root exposure. This should be checked by our pediatric dentist at their next dental visit.