Pediatric dentistry.

Pediatric dentistry

Pediatric dentistry, also known as pedodontics, is a specialty branch that focuses on treating young people. Pediatric dentists, also known as pedodontists, are dedicated to the field because they must complete the additional education necessary to provide primary and comprehensive care to babies, young children and adolescents.

Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that adapts techniques and procedures from general dentistry and specialties to provide primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for children. Pediatric dentists treat a broad range of diseases in infants, children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs, and are experts in providing care to make their patients feel comfortable. Pediatric dentists also educate their patients and the patient’s parents about the importance of oral health and preventative oral health care.

Dental procedures are generally perceived as intimidating and painful experiences that most would like to avoid, especially among children. However, it is vital that children have their milk teeth checked regularly by pediatric dentists for evidence of caries and tooth decay.

Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. They have the experience and qualifications to care for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood.

Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications. Today, early childhood dental caries—an infectious disease—is 5 times more common in children than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.

Children are not just small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. In addition, pediatric dentists use specially designed equipment in offices that are arranged and decorated with children in mind.

A pediatric dentist offers a wide range of treatment options, as well as expertise and training to care for your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth. When your pediatrician suggests that your child receive a dental exam, you can be assured that a pediatric dentist will provide the best possible care.

 

Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral health care that includes the following:

-Infant oral health exams, which include risk assessment for caries in mother and child

-Preventive dental care including cleaning and fluoride treatments, as well as nutrition and diet recommendations

-Habit counseling (for example, pacifier use and thumb sucking)

-Early assessment and treatment for straightening teeth and correcting an improper bite (orthodontics)

-Repair of tooth cavities or defects

-Diagnosis of oral conditions associated with diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, hay fever, and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder

-Management of gum diseases and conditions including ulcers, short frenulae, mucoceles, and pediatric periodontal disease

-Care for dental injuries (for example, fractured, displaced, or knocked-out teeth).

 Some of the conditions most likely to be seen by pediatric dentists include:

1-Teething problems :

Pediatric dentists are consulted if teething is delayed in an infant. The development of the teeth and jaws needs to be appropriate to allow the infant to be suitably weaned onto solid foods. Good and timely teeth eruption is also important in the development of appropriate speech.

2-Malocclusion or misaligned teeth

A malocclusion describes when the teeth of the upper and lower jaws do not meet when the jaws are closed together. This can create problems with eating or speaking. The malocclusion may cause may pain on biting or injuries to the insides of the mouth, gums and tongue. Pediatric dentists are responsible for addressing the problem of poorly aligned teeth using braces.

3-Dental caries and tooth decay

Despite the fact that milk teeth are eventually shed to be replaced by permanent teeth, it is still important that these teeth are well maintained. Children have an increased likelihood of developing tooth decay and therefore cavities that can expose the inner dental pulp to bacteria and cause toothaches. Children tend to be more susceptible to dental plaque and tooth decay because they are more likely to eat sugary, sticky foods and not maintain their dental hygiene as well as older people might. Therefore, pediatric dentists commonly encounter tooth decay.

-Gingivitis and dental abscesses are just as likely to occur in children as in adults.

-Regular dental health checkups along with the maintenance of good oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing of the teeth should help children maintain a healthy set of teeth for life.

About pediatric dentistry specialty :

You don’t get into pediatrics unless you really, really love what you do. If you don’t, you deal with kids that can sense whether you want to be there or not. The uniqueness is that it has to fit the professional. If you’re looking into pediatrics, you’ll know in the middle of dental school when you are working with four or five year olds in the clinic whether or not you are comfortable with pediatric dentistry.

Pediatric dentistry needs to fit the attitude and the ability of the professional who can make quick changes. I am pretty easy-going, I can usually think on my feet pretty well and I can react quickly to a possible problem that a kid may have. That is a challenge. Kids will always give you their absolute best, but some days they are just tired or cranky. They’re always going to challenge you day-to-day, but usually the kids are absolutely phenomenal. They really want to do well. They want to sit in the chair and watch the movie and let us do our work. The biggest challenge is that I always need to be thinking on my feet and anticipate any possible problems in the future to avoid it.

Being an effective communicator, especially with the parents, is a very important skill. If you give parents three very clear instructions, whatever you say to them, they will think about it over and over again and they will follow that.  If  you are not clear when you deliver post-op instructions for a kid, you can develop a whole lot of problems and a lack of confidence that the parent has in you.

A kid-friendly and welcoming environment is also key in a pediatric office. The specialsized dental equipment for exams is important. The exam room decor should be appealing to youngsters too, like brightly colored wall paint and engaging murals. Games, kids magazines and perhaps a fish tank in the waiting area go a long way toward easing uncertainty and apprehension.

Pediatric dentists work hard to keep the smiles of kids bright and healthy. When a dental visit is a positive experience, children may be happy to return every six months for their checkup. And for that, parents will be grateful.

Read more: tooth whitening.