What Is Dentistry For Children?
Dentistry for children is also known as pediatric dentistry. It is the branch of dentistry dealing with the dental health of infants up to the time they become teenagers. The dentist specializing in this field is called a pediatric dentist.
Why Is Having A Kid’s Dentist Important?
A lot of parents make the common error of taking a child to their first visit when they’re almost 5-6 years old. When in fact, a child’s first dental visit should be when their first-ever tooth erupts in the oral cavity. This usually occurs when the child is approximately 6 months old.
The reason why you should have a kid’s dentist is that without proper care, children are at an increased risk of oral decay and disease. This, in turn, causes a lifetime of complications and pain. Early childhood dental caries is a common infectious disease. This is 7 times more prevalent than hay fever and 5 times more prevalent than asthma in children.
How Are Pediatric Dentists Qualified To Practice Dentistry For Children?
A pediatric dentist is dedicated to children’s oral health – from the time they are infants until they’ve reached their teenage years. They are experienced and have the necessary qualifications to care for children’s gums, teeth, and mouth throughout all the different phases of childhood.
Pediatric dentists complete their undergrad education, followed by a dental school that lasts for 4 years. Additionally, they undergo 2 years of residency and training in dentistry for children – infants, little kids, teenagers, and special needs kids.
What Are The Benefits Of Seeing A Pediatric Dentist Early?
There are numerous benefits of taking your child to the pediatric dentist early. The American Dental Association, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggest that while the first tooth necessitates a trip to the dentist, you can wait until they’re a year old.
Preventing Oral Issues
A child’s early visit to the pediatric dentist is step one of preventing tooth decay. The pediatric dentist will examine the child to look for any signs of decay. Furthermore, they advise preventative therapies such as cleaning the teeth and applying fluoride or dental sealants.
Although the primary teeth are temporary, keeping them healthy is essential. They serve not only the important purpose of speech development but also guide the permanent teeth when it’s time to erupt. Premature loss of the milk teeth ends up causing issues with the bite.
Monitoring The Development Of The Mouth
If you take your child to the pediatric dentist early, they get the chance to monitor the oral cavity’s development – including the teeth and the jaw. This helps them notice any signs of a potential malocclusion and advises any preventive treatment before the issue fully develops.
Providing The Parent With Support
Pediatric dentists provide new parents with education on how to properly care for their kid’s teeth. They guide the patients on how to properly brush and floss. Furthermore, they are also counseled on the proper nutrition that improves oral health.
Pediatric dentists also address the habits like thumb-sucking that can hamper the development of a child’s teeth.
Familiarizing The Child With The Pediatric Dentist
When parents regularly take their child to the dentist, they get familiarized with the environment. Pediatric dental offices are planned to be kid-friendly. The interior décor, play areas, a television, etc. – these are all things you would find in a pediatric dentist’s establishment.
When the child associates a dental checkup with fun experiences, it reduces the development of any dental phobia in the future. Dental anxiety is a serious issue since people with it tend to delay treatment until it gets them to a point where they can no longer ignore it. And in most cases, by the time they visit the dentist, the issue has gone from bad to worse.
What Types Of Treatments Do Pediatric Dentists Provide?
Different kids have different types of dental issues. A pediatric dentist trains at taking care of any problems a child faces. This is why you will always find a variety of treatments at a pediatric dentist’s office.
Regular Cleanings
Similar to adults, kids should visit their pediatric dentist every 6 months. The dentist will professionally clean the child’s teeth, preventing any future or taking care of current gum disease. Additionally, the pediatric dentist gets to examine the child’s mouth – identifying any early signs of dental problems.
Preventive Care
To avoid future annoyances with a child’s oral health, a pediatric dentist will provide them with preventive care.
Fluoride And Sealant Application
The application of fluoride and sealants help prevent cavities. Along with discouraging the buildup of plaque and calculus, fluoride also helps strengthen teeth.
Sealants are thin layers of material that comprise of resin. These bond to the tooth’s chewing surface and protect areas that are hard to clean from decay. Additionally, they decrease the risk of cavities by 80%.
Fillings
Decayed parts of teeth are removed and replaced with a filling that restores both stability and function. The same is done if a tooth experiences any injury.
Tooth Bonding
Also a pretty popular treatment amongst adults, tooth bonding is done to fix chipped, cracked, and even discolored teeth. A tooth-colored resin is sculpted and bonded to the tooth to repair the issue.
Tooth Extractions
While pediatric dentists don’t favor extracting primary teeth, it might be necessary if the tooth severely damages beyond the scope of repair.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are porcelain or metal tooth coverings that are responsible for maintaining a damaged tooth in its position. Crowns restore the function of the tooth along with its look.
Dental Emergencies
Children are no strangers to emergencies. A fall or injury during playtime could lead to a broken tooth, tooth loss, or bleeding. Pediatric dentists encourage parents to call them should they find themselves in the middle of an emergency.
Dental care delayed is dental care denied. Based on the situation, the dental staff will either instruct the parents on what to do or ask them to come in.
River’s Bend Family Dental is your go-to dental office for all of your children’s dental needs. To discuss your child’s dental care with our experts, book your appointment. Call us at (763) 576-1855.
