It is crucial to inculcate good oral hygiene habits in your children in order to establish a strong foundation for their permanent dentition. These habits pave the way for a smooth transition into adulthood. Columbia pediatric dentistry specialists strive to create a friendly environment for their young patients. They offer comprehensive and compassionate pediatric dentistry for every child.
| Pediatric dentistry, also known as pedodontics, is a branch of dentistry that deals with the evaluation and management of dental problems in children. It focuses on the maintenance and improvement of oral health in children. You must begin assessing your child’s oral health the moment their first tooth arrives and continue caring for their teeth as they grow old. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to treat babies and teenagers up to age 18. |
The significant role of pediatric dentistry
Here is a comprehensive guide to the role of pediatric dentistry:
- Pediatric dentistry focuses on primary oral care among children since they are at an increased risk of developing dental problems. This is due to unhealthy eating habits and poor oral hygiene. When oral health is neglected, the body suffers, and your child is unable to eat or drink anything, leading to nutritional deficiencies.
- Caring for baby teeth is important since it paves the way for permanent teeth and forms a foundation that needs to be strong. Regular parent and patient education and decay prevention are the top priorities of pediatric dentistry.
- It also aims to reduce anxiety and fear among young children by providing a relaxing environment to instill a positive attitude towards dentists.
- Furthermore, through primary oral care, dental issues can be detected early and treated effectively to prevent future complications.
Types of treatments offered in pediatric dentistry
Depending on your child’s age and oral health needs, pediatric dentists offer the following procedures:
Oral examinations and X-rays: Dental exams and X-rays help detect any underlying decay or other problems (such as abscesses) from the permanent teeth that have not erupted.
Parent counseling: This forms the essence of primary oral care since educating the parents helps spread awareness easily who are the prime caretakers of the kids.
Teeth cleaning: Special ultrasonic instruments are used to gently remove any debris or plaque from the tooth surface. It is advisable to visit the dentist every 6 months for maintenance.
Preventive procedures: These are in the form of dental sealants and fluoride application to prevent plaque and bacteria from harming the enamel layer.
Fillings/restorations: Dentists can effectively restore the child’s tooth with either traditional metal or tooth-colored fillings.
Bottom line
Pediatric dentistry specialists are well-trained to handle young children to ease their anxiety. They also help create a calm and relaxing environment to ensure children develop a healthy relationship with the dentist to enhance their oral health.
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