Pedodontics or Pediatric Dentistry is one of the branches of dentistry that deals with children’s oral health. Pediatric dentists focus exclusively on the care of teeth in children aged 0-14. Kids are not like adults. They have thoughts and feelings that are not always predictable, and engaging with them requires special knowledge. A pediatric dentist should be patient with children.
All students graduate from dental school as general dentists. However, pediatric dentists complete two to three years of residency to specialize in treating children. They learn dental development in children to spot any signs of a problem faster than a regular or general dentist. The pediatric dentist can treat these problems with minimal discomfort thanks to child psychology courses.
While general dentists see adults and children alike, a pediatric dentist (pedodontist) specializes solely in children’s oral health. A pediatric dentist understands, diagnoses, and treats children’s oral and dental health issues. Another difference between them is in their equipment. Pedodontics equipment is suitable for children. Children can start visiting a pediatric dentist from six months of age and visit a pediatric dentist until they are teenagers.
Pediatric dentists do all of the regular checkups and treatments that kids need to keep their teeth healthy. These are some of the most common treatments that these professionals do:
There is no doubt that dental health is a significant factor in your child’s overall health. Routine exams usually include a professional cleaning that removes harmful plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. Still, an examination by a pediatric dentist is the most crucial part of the exam. This checkup ensures that your child’s teeth and gums are developing normally and allows the dentist to check and treat any potential problems.
Children should have dental x-rays once a year to detect problems hiding beneath the surface of the teeth and gums. X-rays show problems such as decay between teeth and cavities that are not visible to the naked eye. When a child’s permanent teeth begin to erupt, X-rays can detect alignment problems and catch impacted teeth before they become a problem. If your pediatric dentist detects any developmental issues, your child may need more than one X-ray a year.
A pervasive problem that children suffer from is tooth decay which can cause pain and infection. Filling these cavities can restore teeth to normal function, but most fillings are not fun, even for adults. A pediatric dentist has the skills to put fillings in smaller mouths and make it look more fun than you thought.
Sealants are a great way to prevent cavities and a quick and easy way to stop them from happening. Sealant is like a thin coating put on the tooth’s surface. This makes it less likely that the molars will get holes. Most of the time, the process is quick and doesn’t require anesthesia or a needle.
Fluoride varnish, which is on the surface and sides of each tooth with a small brush, is another good way to prevent cavities that is quick and doesn’t hurt.
Pediatric dentists have extensive training in orthodontics and are often the first to diagnose any orthodontic problems. And because they have more experience with oral development, they can better predict your child’s progress or spot new issues more quickly.
Children can have strong and healthy teeth only if they have proper nutrition. Sugar is one of the crucial factors in tooth decay, even healthy foods such as milk and fruits contain a lot of sugar, so it is necessary to learn balance in the child’s diet. Your pediatric dentist can help your child have healthy teeth by telling you which foods to avoid and which ones to eat more.
Usually, kids aren’t interested in the finer points of dental care, but parents still want them to develop healthy oral hygiene habits that will last them a lifetime. The pediatric dentist can advise parents in these cases, such as how to use dental floss or brush their teeth correctly.
Pedodontics is constantly developing, but what we value most here is creating a convenient, efficient, and safe environment. ORIS Dental Clinics, located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, uses modern and up-to-date materials to make your visits safer and easier. Our dental professionals at ORIS Dental Clinics know that kids are delicate, and patience is needed when dealing with them. We guarantee we make a pleasant experience for your children, making the dental journey enjoyable for them. Your dentist may refer you to our clinic by filling out our secure online pedodontics referral form.
A pediatric dentist is the best option for a child; the younger they are, the more critical it is to see a specialist. At ORIS Dental Clinics, Our dental team has a lot of experience treating children of all ages with compassion and care.
Demeanor is essential thing when it comes to making kids comfortable at the dental clinic. Patience and a better sense of humor than regular family dentists are crucial things which Pediatric dentists needs. Despite these features, the clinic has become an exciting place for children.
Children should go to a dental clinic six months after their first tooth erupts or their first birthday. This early visit establishes their relationship with the dentist, starts a good practice of preventive screening, and helps the child adjust so that future visits are less scary. The sooner the child goes to the dentist, the better their oral health will be in the future.
With current protections, such as lead aprons and high-speed film, the radiation received during a dental x-ray examination is very low. Although there is minimal risk, pediatric dentists are especially careful to minimize the radiation exposure of their child patients. Dental x-rays are much less dangerous than an undiagnosed and untreated dental problem.
