A Pediatric Dentist has a specialized training of extra 2-3 years after dental school and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years. They understand child psychology and thus use various behavior management or behavior modification methods to make dental treatment most comfortably acceptable to your child.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s first visit to the dentist should be kept by 12 months of age or the time when the first tooth erupts in the mouth.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends:
The first tooth is usually lost around age 6 and the primary molars must remain in place until 10 to 12 years of age. Primary teeth are necessary for
Care of the primary teeth is important not only for proper function, but also to avoid a number of unpleasant conditions, such as pain and infections, that result from their neglect.
Although a well-balanced diet is important in preventing cavities and to ensure the good general health, cavities are not only the result of what children eat but also the frequency of meals. Frequent snacking without brushing leaves food on the teeth longer and increases the likelihood of a cavity developing. Additionally, frequent “sipping” on sugar-drinks (including juice and soda) in a baby bottle, “sippy” cup or re-sealable bottle can cause widespread dental cavities.
Most of the food items we consume, break down into sugars, thereby increasing the chance of bacterial attacks.
Normally, we advise that parents should be in charge of the child’s brushing until the age of ten to twelve years. Parents should either supervise, guide or assist children in brushing and flossing until this age as most of the transition from baby to permanent teeth has occurred by this time.
A check-up every six months is recommended in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, Dr. Imneet can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.
Lasers in dentistry help to clean the cavities without using drills and anesthesia. This helps children to overcome fear of coming to the dentist. Lasers have also been of great help in sterilizing infected baby teeth root canals, thereby helping to rule out extractions and spacers.
Children’s first visit is most of the times, a pleasant experience by the genuine efforts of the Pediatric Dentist. This should be at the time when the first tooth erupts. It basically revolves around educating parents about prevention at home. And of course, a quick look into baby’s mouth.
Any profound decays that are close to or reaching into the nerve of the tooth, may need partial root canal treatment or complete root canal treatment. The evaluation is generally based on the combination of radiographic image and clinical status at the time of treatment. These treatments involve removing the nerve of the primary tooth partially or completely. When the new tooth erupts at the age of ten to twelve years, they have their own nerve and blood supply.
Baby molars generally fall by the age of ten to twelve years. If profound decays are found in these teeth at earlier ages, it’s better to do root canal treatment and save the tooth rather than having spacers for long period of time after premature extractions.
“No Drill, No Needle” fillings that only involve laser popping light to wash sugar bugs and then place filling material are referred to as laser fillings. Since its a non-contact procedure, child does not feel any pressure or pain. A minimal discomfort due to laser water and sound is noticed quite commonly. Detailed information on what to expect helps to avoid these scenarios frequently.
