Pediatric dentistry
What is pediatric dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry or pedodontics is the specialty that is dedicated to pediatric oral health from the first months of life until the teenage years. Pediatric dentists have the experience and qualifications of taking care of teeth, gums and oral cavity of children throughout various stages of childhood.
Children’s teeth begin to erupt after the first 6 months of life. At the age of 6 or 7 years old, baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth gradually. Without proper dental care, children may face various caries problems which can cause discomfort, severe pain or complications. Caries treatment of temporarily teeth needs to be done. It is a totally wrong conception that baby teeth are not treated because they will be replaced. Untreated caries of temporarily teeth can affect the development of permanent teeth, whose buds are located under baby teeth.
Children are not just smaller adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperate during a dental treatment. But pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them feel comfortable.
Types of treatments
Pediatric dentistry covers the following specific types
- For infants, the oral cavity examination, including evaluation of risk factors and the caries incidence of mother and child;
- Preventive dental care, including cleaning and fluoride treatments, also diet and nutrition recommendations
- Advice on quitting bad habits (such as dummy use and thumb sucking);
- Early evaluation for straightening teeth and correcting occlusion in case of improper bite (recommendation of specialist consultation – orthodontics);
- Treatment of dental caries or structure defects;
- The diagnosis of oral manifestations associated with diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart abnormalities, asthma, hay fever and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder;
- Management of diseases caused by vicious mastication (including ulcers), short frenulum, maculae and pediatric periodontal disease;
- Treatment of dental injuries caused by accidents (fracture, displacement or avulsion).