Pediatric dentistry is dentistry for children and adolescents. It involves the care of children from infancy to early adulthood. It is also known as orthodontics for children and adolescents. Pediatric dentists provide oral care, treatment of injuries, prevention of oral diseases, and learning about the importance of good oral health.
Besides traditional dental exams, pediatric dentists may also perform a range of other diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, to determine whether or not the child has suffered an impact injury or dislocated jaw due to sports or another accident. It’s important for parents, caregivers, and children to understand what pediatric dentists can do for them in this particular age group so they can help maintain their overall health and well-being.
Who is it For
- Children who are shedding their milk teeth and getting new, permanent teeth
For children who have just started to lose their milk teeth, any preventative dental care is important. This means your child can get a dental exam and cleaning at no cost in order to avoid developing cavities and gum disease.
- Children who are six months old or older
The pediatric dentist will help your child with tooth brushing and teach them on how to brush properly.
- Children who are experiencing pain from severe tooth decay
It’s important to make sure that your child does not have severe tooth decay, or toothaches before it worsens and requires treatment.
- Children with a change in eating or sleeping habits
Some children who have a change in their eating habits, like refusing to eat certain foods, may not get the nutrition they need and may develop cavities. It is very important that he child gets any special treatments they need. The pediatric dentist can also help with long term feeding issues like lack of sufficient nutrition, causing the child to become very tired in the day and losing weight because they are not able to eat properly. Other causes could be ear infections because of mealtimes.
Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry
- Advice the parents on good oral health
The pediatric dentist can give you advice on diet and healthy eating habits, both for your child and the whole family. It is important that the child has proper nutrition to avoid a number of dental problems.
- Help prevent tooth decay from worsening
Taking care of their teeth is one way to prevent tooth decay from worsening. It is important that they have a regular dental checkup as well as brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to help prevent cavities and gum disease. The pediatric dentist will also be able to advise you on how to deal with the child’s anxiety if he or she has any dental-related fears.
- Give an oral exam
The pediatric dentist will examine the dental system of your child. He may ask you questions regarding his diet, habits, and general health. Your child may feel embarrassed, but the pediatric dentist has a number of ways he can make sure they are relaxed during their appointment. It is very important that they understand that this is something very good for them and that it will help them grow up healthy, especially their teeth, which are not fully grown yet and need extra care in this period of their life, so they don’t have many cavities in the future.
- Guide you on nutrition
The pediatric dentist can give you advice on what to feed your child and also on what they should avoid. Your child will be happy when they see their dentist smiling and talking to them without being scared. Children can trust their pediatric dentist.
- Help with oral appliances
If your child has a bite that is changing shape too much then the pediatric dentist may advise the use of an oral appliance, whether it be a mouth guard or an orthodontic brace for different teeth, so that the correct jaw position can be maintained.
No matter what you do there will always be children who have problems with their teeth. Whether they have a habit of biting or sucking their tongue or losing their permanent teeth, they all need to be seen by a pediatric dentist. There is no reason for your child to have a problem and it only can get worse if not taken care of properly. It is important that you find a pediatric dentist who specializes in your child’s age group and can give them advice on what is good for them to eat as well as how to brush so that their teeth will stay healthy.