Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is the branch of dentistry dealing with children from birth through adolescence.
Children have 20 baby (primary) teeth which start to come in at about 6 months of age and completed at about 2 years of age. One of the most common misconceptions about primary teeth is that they are not important to the child's future oral growth and health of permanent teeth. Without proper dental care children's face possible tooth decay that can cause pain and complications. These are several reasons why children should have good set of primary teeth.
- Children with decayed primary teeth are more likely to have nutritional deficiency. Healthy primary teeth promote good chewing habits and facilitate proper growth of jaws and permanent teeth.
- One of the major functions of primary teeth is to keep and sufficient space for developing permanent teeth.
- Missing primary teeth cause the remaining teeth to more and fill space improperly. For this reason dentist recommend space maintaining appliances.
- Untreated primary teeth can get infected and that can complicate the growth of underlying permanent (adult) teeth.
Pediatric Dentistry FAQs
1What should I use to clean Baby's teeth?
A soft bristled toothbrush with a small head, designed specifically for infants should be used at least twice a day.
2Are Baby teeth vitally important to my child ?
Baby teeth not only help children speaking & chewing but they also help in forming a path that permanent tooth follow when they are ready to erupt.
3Thumbsucking habit harmful for a child's teeth?
If they are sucking past the age of three, a mouth appliance may be recommended by dentist.
4How can I prevent decay caused by bottle feeding?
Avoid putting anything other than water in their bed time bottle. After each bottle feeding give him drinking water to clean his/her teeth with spoon or glass. Learn the proper way to brush your child's teeth. Take your child to a dentist regularly to have their teeth & gums checked.
5How often does child needs check up with a dentist?
General checkup is recommended every six months to prevent cavities & other problems. However depending on child's personal requirements & tooth problems your dentist can tell you how often child should visit.
6What should be done when permanent tooth knocks out accidentally?
First find the tooth, clean it with water, hold it by the crown rather than the root and try to insert it in the socket. If that is not possible, put it in glass of water or milk & take child & glass immediately to dentist.
7When should I bring my child for first visit ?