How Tonsillitis Can Threaten Your Child’s Oral Health

The tonsils are part of the body’s immune system and are made up of soft tissue located in the back of the throat. They primarily help young children fight off infections by creating antibodies that fight respiratory infections, but the tonsils can become infected leading to infection spreading through your child’s mouth, requiring the help of a dentist in Coral Gables.

The following information should help you to better understand how tonsillitis affects your child’s oral health and what you can do to protect your loved ones.

Dangers to Oral Health

Because the tonsils fight off bacteria and infection, tonsillitis can lead to the rapid increase of dangerous bacteria that can cause serious illness and even death in some extreme cases. When the tonsil glands swell, your child’s throat becomes very sore, making it painful to swallow or cough. The bacteria that cause tonsillitis also can cause the infection to spread to your child’s mouth and body, which could become very dangerous and might require hospitalization.

Your Coral Gables dentist can help to prevent bacterial buildup in your child’s mouth through cleanings and other preventive dentistry, while also closely monitoring the tonsils’ development to ensure your child has the best possible protection against bacteria and the ailments they can cause.

Why Children are Vulnerable

By the time we become adults, tonsils are a non-issue, because our bodies have fully developed immune systems that can fight off the bacteria that causes tonsillitis. Young children, particularly those between ages 3 and 7, rely the most on their tonsils to help stave off the many types of respiratory infections that can afflict a child.

Tonsils are small at birth, but grow until your child reaches age 8 or 9, and then begin to recede around age 11, as your child’s body develops a more robust immune system. This means your child is particularly vulnerable while his or her tonsils are developing and he or she is very young.

Tonsils Removal Can Help

In serious cases of infection, it might be necessary to surgically remove your child’s tonsils. An Otolaryngoligist is a specialist who removes infected tonsils. When infected tonsils are removed, so is the danger of that infection spreading to your child’s teeth and bloodstream. When the infection spreads to the teeth, it affects the pulp and weakens teeth, which might require a root canal and crown or other repairs. If the infection spreads into the bloodstream, the dangers become even greater, and could require hospitalization.

Gables Sedation & Family Dentistry

Whether your child is exhibiting signs of tonsillitis or you just want to ensure his or her oral health is at its best, the friendly professionals at Gables Sedation & Family Dentistry in Miami will be happy to help. Our office is open Monday through Friday, and takes appointments on Saturdays, so we can ensure you have every opportunity to protect your child against tonsillitis and other oral health ailments.