Kids Dentistry

Why is Pediatric Dentistry important?

Humans start teething when they are as young as 6 months old. During the age period from 6 months to 6 years, they develop their set of primary ‘milk’ teeth. By the age of 6-7 years, milk teeth start to fall off and a permanent set of teeth starts to appear in the oral cavity. Milk teeth being temporary, many parents tend to ignore dental visits concerning them. However, they fail to realize the importance of the timeline of milk and permanent teeth in the oral cavity.

Pedodontists (Kids Dentists) ensure proper dental development and long-term oral health.

DEVELOPMENTAL IMPORTANCE

Early dental care and intervention are crucial for a child’s growth and well-being. Pedodontists allow early intervention for misaligned bites or crowding before it progresses. Poor oral health since childhood can impact one’s speech, nutrition, self-esteem, and also social interactions.

LONG TERM BENEFITS

Pediatric dentistry focuses on preventive treatment, achieved via:

• Fluoride treatments
• Sealants
• Oral hygiene education

These aim to minimize the risk of future dental issues. It is easier to develop and incorporate good oral hygiene and dietary habits in a child. Habits formed in early childhood lead to better oral health throughout life. Identifying issues like tongue-ties or thumb-sucking allows timely correction.

Whole milk teeth are temporary, they form the basis of developing permanent teeth. If proper care is not taken, problems can emerge which will last a lifetime. In recent years, cases of caries in children have grown manifold. Therefore, it is always advised to take care of your baby’s teeth in the very early stages. Just following a good oral hygiene routine and planning regular visits to a pedodontist, yield great results in the long run.

Why do we need a Kids Specialist?

While General dentists or Children’s Dentists can treat children as well. There are several reasons why visiting a pediatric dental specialist is beneficial:

Specialized Training

Pedodontists dedicate 3+ years of their lives focused on the dental needs of children. They have extensive education and training focused on the Oral health needs of children. Along with knowledge about dental issues, their training includes child psychology and behavior guidance.

Child-Friendly Techniques

Pedodontists aim to make the dental visit feel like an adventure instead of a scary experience. They use gentle, age-appropriate communication styles to engage kids with stories or games. Their office has kid-friendly decor, toys, and rewards to help children feel at ease.

They employ positive reinforcement and sedation techniques for complex procedures. Along with standard preventive and restorative treatments, they also manage common childhood habits. Prolonged thumb sucking or tongue thrusting are seen to have negative oral effects.

So to sum it up,

Pedodontists ensure a positive introduction to dental care while monitoring oro-facial development. They offer consistent support and guidance from infancy through adolescence. Their specialization allows them to identify issues early on. This helps in addressing them before they potentially become more complicated long-term problems.

Treatments offered by a Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentists work towards maintaining Good Oral health in kids. The comprehensive treatment provided by them includes

Preventive Care

• Examinations of infants and teens, including oral caries risk assessment
• Professional cleanings and fluoride treatment to strengthen teeth
• Dental sealants to prevent cavities in molars
• Habit counseling to address thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, etc

Restorative Procedures

• Treatment of tooth cavities with fillings or crowns
• Repair of dental injuries like chips, cracks, or knocked-out teeth
• Interceptive orthodontics to guide proper jaw growth and tooth alignment

Emergency Services:

• Prompt care for toothaches, infections, trauma, or severe decay
• Management of gum injuries and issues affecting the oral mucosa

Additional Services:

• Correction of crooked and misaligned teeth with braces or aligners
• Treatment for conditions like tongue-ties that impact feeding
• Education for parents on home oral care, diet, and fluoride needs

Pedodontist’s diverse skill set allows them to:

• Track development
• Provide preventive therapies
• Deliver child-friendly restorative treatments tailored to each stage of childhood. Their training in behavior guidance ensures a positive dental experience.

Treatment Options for Kids

Prevention Treatments for Kids:

Corrective/Restorative Treatments for Kids

List of Dental Problems in Children

What to pay for kids’ dentistry services?

Pediatric dental Cost or Kids Dentistry cost a little less than adult visits generally. For most of the services like cleaning and common checkups, the prices are affordable. However, some dental treatments can be a little higher in cost if your child’s dental health is not well maintained. You can learn more about them in detail by visiting any of our dental clinics in India. Clove Dental has experienced specialists for kids dental care right in your neighborhood. It is advised to plan a child’s first dental visit when the first tooth erupts. Book an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. At what age should a child have their first dental Visit?
The first dental visit should be 6 months after the 1st tooth erupts. This tends to be around the time your child turns one.

2. Till what age should a child continue visiting A Pediatric Dentist?
A child must see a pediatric dentist till the age of 14. By this time, all permanent teeth have erupted in the cavity. Beyond this, it is the choice of the child and his/her parents.

3. When Should A Child Start Brushing?
A child is recommended to start brushing with the eruption of the first tooth. Pedodontists advise the amount of toothpaste should be very small, almost as much as a grain of rice.

4. Is cleaning your mouth necessary even in the absence of Teeth?
Oral hygiene maintenance irrespective of age is necessary. Parents are instructed to clean the gums (both upper and lower) of their children gently with the help of a soft wet cloth.

5. Is It Normal For Babies To Have A White Tongue?
Most babies have a white coating on their tongue in the initial few weeks, which is completely normal. There is nothing wrong with their oral hygiene.

6. What Is The Importance Of Milk Teeth?
Milk teeth are temporary and tend to fall eventually. But this does not imply they don’t matter in overall oral health. They play some important roles, like:

• They play the primary role of biting, chewing, and grinding the food before digesting it
• They are also important in speech patterns and training
• Milk teeth are the basis of the development of the jaw bones and muscles
• They provide the necessary shape of the mouth and room for permanent teeth to erupt

7. What Toothpaste Should My Child Be Using and How Many times?
For Children:

• Below 3 years of age, a smear of fluoridated toothpaste is recommended
• For children aged between 3 to 6, pea-sized amounts can be used Brushing twice daily is recommended for all ages.

8. At what age Should My Child’s Teeth start to appear?
The first baby teeth usually begin to erupt into the oral cavity around 6 months of age.

9. When Should My Child Begin Flossing?
The concept of flossing is to be introduced once your child has two teeth that are touching. Usually around the age of 2-3 years.

10. When Should My Child Have Their First Dental X-Rays?
Many Pediatric Dentists recommend getting the first set of x-rays, full mouth preferably around age 5 or 6. This helps to assess the pattern of eruption and growth.

11. By What Age Can My Child Start Using Fluoride Toothpaste & Mouthwash?
A child can begin using fluoride toothpaste as soon as they get their first tooth. Whereas fluoride mouthwash is not used until age 6 or 7.

12. What Are Shark Teeth And Does My Child Have Them?
Shark teeth are a condition where the baby tooth doesn’t fall out. This leads to the eruption of permanent teeth either in front of it or behind it. Consulting a pediatric dentist near me promptly is recommended.

13. What Do I Do If My Child Has A Chipped Tooth?
For immediate relief – Place a cotton over the chipped tooth, if bleeding is seen. If a larger piece is chipped off, try and find it, wash it under water, and place it in milk or saline water. Visit your kids dentist promptly.

14. Will Sucking Their Thumb Hurt Their Teeth?
Thumb sucking after the age of 4 years causes tooth misalignment and underdeveloped jaws.

15. When Should the First Teeth Come Out?
For most children, baby teeth start to fall out by the age of 6. All baby teeth are replaced by permanent sets by the age of 12.

16. Should Loose Teeth Be Pulled?
It is never advised to pull loose teeth forcibly. Let it fall out naturally, or visit your Kids dentist if it lingers for too long.

17. How to prevent bad dental habits in kids?

• Try and limit Sugary/Acidic food and drinks for kids
• Ensure the practice of good oral hygiene maintenance habits
• Avoid pacifiers past the appropriate age
• Keep a check for habits such as thumb sucking, nail biting, or tongue thrusting for normal jaw development

18. When will my child need braces?
Regular dental checkups allow the detection of most orthodontic issues by the age of 7. But braces treatment does not begin till the age of 12 until most permanent teeth have erupted.

19. Can a Kids Dentist Help With My Child’s Dental Anxiety?
Pedodontists create a friendly, positive environment in the dental clinic. They employ behavior modification techniques to ease dental fear in children.

Kids Play Area at Clove Dental

Medically Reviewed

Last Reviewed by Clove Clinical Team on July 15, 2024 | Written by Dr. Akhilesh Bhasker, BDS, MDS.