WHY IS KIDS DENTISTRY IMPORTANT?
When humans reach the age of 6-7 years, they start losing their milk teeth and the permanent set of teeth start emerging. Because the milk teeth will eventually fall off, some parents tend to ignore consulting their child to a dentist.
However, these milk teeth form the basis of developing a permanent set of teeth. If not cared properly the problems can emerge which can last a lifetime. In recent years the cases of caries in children have grown manifold. Therefore, it is always recommended to start taking care of your baby’s teeth in their very early stages. This includes setting an Oral Hygiene routine and regular visits to the pediatric dentist.
WHY DO WE NEED A KIDS SPECIALIST?
Kids Dentist, in other words, Pediatric Dentist are trained to treat the dental complexities of kids and teens.
WHAT TREATMENT MODALITIES ARE OFFERED BY THE PEDIATRIC DENTIST
Pediatric Dentist functions towards maintaining good oral health in kids. The treatment provided by them are:
- Examination of babies and teens. It includes the oral caries assessment in mothers and their kids
- They are experts in protecting your kids’ teeth by performing a fluoride treatment
- Habit counseling in which the doctors assist to keep the habits of kids in control
- Adjusting of crooked and misaligned teeth
- Treatment for tooth cavities
- Treatment for dental injuries
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR KIDS
Root Canal Treatment In Milk Teeth
If your child’s primary (baby) teeth have been injured, or if decay has reached deep into the roots of your child’s teeth, a root canal treatment to stabilize teeth might be required.
Root canal treatment battles against the infection from the pulp, the living tissue that is found inside the tooth’s roots. The pulp consists of the tooth’s nerves, so tooth pain is often an indication that decay has reached into the pulp.
Root canal treatment is a simple procedure wherein instruments are used to clean the root canals of teeth followed by inserting a medication to maintain the teeth properly in the oral cavity.
Oral Habits In Children
Frequently children develop certain habits that may either temporarily or permanently be harmful to teeth. Some common oral habits seen in children can be seen as thumb sucking, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, lip biting, grinding of teeth, and nail-biting.
Certain reminding appliances known as habit-breaking appliances can aid the child who is willing to quit the habit but is not able to do so as the habit has entered their subconscious level. They may be removable or fixed appliances.
Common Appliances in Pediatric Dentistry:
- Twin Block
- Frankly
- Habit Breaking appliances
- Space Maintainers
- Head Gear
PREVENTION TREATMENTS FOR KIDS:
Fluoride Application
An issue that parents usually consult their children to the dentist is decay. This is because there is a lack of proper dexterity of brushing in children. To avoid the problem of decay, parents should get the Fluoride application treatment for their child. Fluoride fights plaque and bacteria that can cause enamel loss which further causes cavities.
Sealants
The main cause of decay is the food and bacteria that are trapped in the pits and fissures of teeth. We chew food from the back teeth like molars and premolars which are never flat. The pits & fissures as discussed above are the depressions on these back teeth. They work as potential traps for bacteria & food and make them susceptible to decay. Therefore, as a preventive measure, certain pits and fissure sealants are positioned.
Dental sealants then come to save. Sealants are plastic coatings positioned on the chewing surface of the permanent tooth. They prevent the tooth from decay. Because of fissures the permanent back teeth, molars, and premolars are vulnerable to decay.
Toothpaste And Toothbrush
Apart from the above-mentioned treatments, ensure that your kids brush twice daily.