PEDIATRIC or PEDODONTİST DENTISTRY

PEDIATRIC or PEDODONTİST DENTISTRY

What is a Pedodontist or Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric/Pedodontist dentists are specialists in treating children’s dental needs from infancy through adolescence. Our pediatric dentists have gone through a minimum of 3 years of specialized training after dental university to learn about the unique dental needs of children. During this specialty training they learned about treating children with complex medical conditions, behavior guidance techniques as well as child development and psychology. We work closely with local children’s hospitals, pediatricians and other pediatric medical specialists to create a network of healthcare professionals dedicated to your child’s well being.

When Should Children Have Their First Dental Visit?

The first dental visit should be around your child’s first birthday. The goal of the infant exam is to make sure all of the teeth are healthy and to provide information to parents regarding oral hygiene, proper diet, and fluoride use. Children that have their first dental visit by age one are less likely to have future tooth decay.

Importance Of Baby Teeth

Baby teeth that begin to appear around six months and can remain until a child is 13 or 14. Baby teeth help children eat well, speak clearly and allow adult teeth to grow in properly. Even though they will eventually be replaced by the permanent adult teeth, baby teeth are very important and should be well looked after, checked or fixed if there is a problem.

What causes tooth decay in a child?

Tooth decay grows much faster in primary (baby) teeth than it does in adult teeth. This is why we tend to adopt a more proactive approach to treating cavities in baby teeth, rather than waiting to reassess at a later appointment Several specific types of bacteria that live on the teeth cause decay. When carbohydrate is consumed, the bacteria metabolize (digest) the complex or simple sugar and then excrete acids that dissolve the teeth and cause an infection in the tooth. This infection is called decay. Babies who go to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice are more likely to get tooth decay. Because the sugar in formula, milk, or juice stays in contact with the teeth for a long time during the night, the teeth can decay quickly.

When should my child first see the Pediatric Dentist?

a child’s first dental checkup should take place soon after his or her first teeth erupt, or no later than 1 year of age. Children should receive their first dental exam at their first birthday. I would suggest the best time to get the first dental exam is when a child has four upper and lower front teeth, with the initial eruption of the first molars. That is usually between twelve and sixteen months of age; if you have a concern about your child, we suggest an immediate visit to address the issue. Early evaluation can prevent many major costly and painful dental issues.