Pedodontics
Specialty that deals with the care of children's teeth. The pedodontist is extensively concerned with prevention, which includes instruction in proper diet, use of fluoride, and practice of oral hygiene
Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with the examination and management of dental health in children.
Dental procedures are generally perceived as intimidating and painful experiences that most would like to avoid, especially among children. However, it is vital that children have their milk teeth checked regularly by pediatric dentists for evidence of caries and tooth decay.
Some of the conditions most likely to be seen by pediatric dentists include:
Teething problems
Pediatric dentists are consulted if teething is delayed in an infant. The development of the teeth and jaws needs to be appropriate to allow the infant to be suitably weaned onto solid foods. Good and timely teeth eruption is also important in the development of appropriate speech.
Malocclusion and misaligned teeth
Malocclusion is a misalingment or incorrect relation between the teeth of the upper and lower arch . This can create problems with eating or speaking. Pediatric dentists are responsible for addressing the problem of poorly aligned teeth and should refer the child to an orthodontist.
Dental caries and tooth decay
Despite the fact that milk teeth are eventually shed to be replaced by permanent teeth, it is still important that these teeth are well maintained. Children have an increased likelhood of developing tooth decay and therefore cavities that can expose the inner dental pulp to bacteria and cause toothaches. Children tend to be more susceptible to dental plaque and tooth decay because they are more likely to eat sugary, sticky foods and not maintain their dental hygiene as well as older people might. Therefore, pediatric dentists commonly encounter tooth decay.
•Gingivitis and dental abscesses are just as likely to occur in children as in adults.
•Regular dental health checkups along with the maintenance of good oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing of the teeth should help children maintain a healthy set of teeth for life.
•Fissure sealing is also helpful to prevent future caries in young permanent teeth
Dental procedures are generally perceived as intimidating and painful experiences that most would like to avoid, especially among children. However, it is vital that children have their milk teeth checked regularly by pediatric dentists for evidence of caries and tooth decay.
Some of the conditions most likely to be seen by pediatric dentists include:
Teething problems
Pediatric dentists are consulted if teething is delayed in an infant. The development of the teeth and jaws needs to be appropriate to allow the infant to be suitably weaned onto solid foods. Good and timely teeth eruption is also important in the development of appropriate speech.
Malocclusion and misaligned teeth
Malocclusion is a misalingment or incorrect relation between the teeth of the upper and lower arch . This can create problems with eating or speaking. Pediatric dentists are responsible for addressing the problem of poorly aligned teeth and should refer the child to an orthodontist.
Dental caries and tooth decay
Despite the fact that milk teeth are eventually shed to be replaced by permanent teeth, it is still important that these teeth are well maintained. Children have an increased likelhood of developing tooth decay and therefore cavities that can expose the inner dental pulp to bacteria and cause toothaches. Children tend to be more susceptible to dental plaque and tooth decay because they are more likely to eat sugary, sticky foods and not maintain their dental hygiene as well as older people might. Therefore, pediatric dentists commonly encounter tooth decay.
•Gingivitis and dental abscesses are just as likely to occur in children as in adults.
•Regular dental health checkups along with the maintenance of good oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing of the teeth should help children maintain a healthy set of teeth for life.
•Fissure sealing is also helpful to prevent future caries in young permanent teeth
First time
Parents should always have in mind that the first appointment should be around the time when the children are two and a half years, up to three years old. At this time, the child can seat alone in the dental chair, listen to the dentist and has all its milky teeth in the mouth and at the same time most of the children do not have any problems which is very important for the psychological connection that the child will establish with the dentist.
During the first appointment in situations where the child is pain free, the dentist will perform routine check up of his teeth in the jaws and do a standard dental cleaning. This is very important for the child to realize that dental visits are not painful and frightening, but necessary.
In cases where children do have certain pain, the doctor will try to help the child as much as the child will allow. If the children are non cooperative and have strong pain, the dentist may use the help of his/her assistant to perform the required intervention.
Certain children that are completely non cooperative, are referred to other clinics, that perform procedures with the use of general anesthetics.
Preventive care
Children’s visits are not only about fixing decays and treating pain. Regular visits on 6-12 months depending on the age of the patient, number of teeth, individual prognosis etc are performed so that problems can be early diagnosed and adequately treated. During this visits, the dentist doesn’t only perform cleaning and conditioning of the child’s teeth, but also develops relationship that is crucial for the child’s oral health. This relationship gives the dentist an opportunity to explain the child through different sort of conversations the need of proper oral hygiene as well as how to do it at home.
Use of ozone
Ozone therapy is a contemporary disinfection agent capable of destroying 99,9% of the bacteria present on the surface being treated, by performing oxidative degeneration of initial carious lesions, advanced carious lesions as well as root canal treatments of milky as well as early permanent teeth.
We use ozone in the above mentioned situations with the help of our KaVo Heal Ozone. It is completely pain free and time efficient. When the tooth is adequately prepared, ozone is applied through the ozone hose after a gum cap is placed on the tooth so that the ozone gas is applied only on the required surface.
Fissure sealing
Once the first permanent teeth erupt in the mouth, fissure sealing should be performed so that these teeth are protected from further demineralization and decays. Young children who still don’t have adequate oral hygiene habits, are strongly indicated for fissure sealing of young permanent teeth. The procedure is completely pain free because there is no tissue removal.
The tooth is first professionally cleaned and after it is dried from fluids and saliva, ozone gas is applied on it so that the surface is completely sterile before the future sealant is placed. Immediately after, glass ionomer cement or compomers containing Fluor are placed on the tooth, to protect it from future demineralization.
Schedule your visit today.
Easily access our services via phone or our
online contact form if you have any questions
or would like to schedule an appointment.
Our team will reply to you as soon as possible.
