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.
A general dentist sees both adults and children, but a paediatric dentist (also called a pedodontist) only works with children’s teeth. A paediatric dentist knows how to understand, assess, and treat oral and dental health problems in children. One more difference is that they have different tools. The tools used in pedodontics are safe for children. Children as young as six months old can start going to a pediatric dentist. They can keep going until they are adults.
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.
Tooth decay is a common problem in children that can cause pain and infection. When these holes are filled, the teeth can work normally again, but fillings are usually not fun, even for adults. A paediatric dentist knows how to put fillings in kids’ mouths and make it look like more fun than you thought it would be.
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.
Since they have had considerable orthodontic training, pediatric dentists are frequently the ones to identify any orthodontic issues. And because they have more experience with oral growth, they can better predict your child’s progress or spot new problems 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.
Kids aren’t usually interested in the details of dental care, but their parents still want them to learn how to take care of their teeth in a way that will last a lifetime. In these situations, the paediatric dentist can tell the parents things like how to use dental floss or how to brush their teeth properly.
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.
