Paediatric Dentistry

The branch of dentistry that deals with assessing and managing children’s dental problems is pediatric dentistry. Children have different dental requirements than grown-ups, so their teeth require special care. Dentists with particular expertise in providing oral care to children are called pediatric dental experts.

Children’s primary teeth are temporary that usually fall out during adolescence to make way for permanent teeth. But just because these teeth get replaced by permanent teeth doesn’t mean it is OK not to take good care of them. 

Primary teeth are placeholders that should last their supposed lifespan to help permanent teeth erupt correctly and get into the proper alignment.

What are Pediatric Dental Procedures?

There is only a slight difference between pediatric and adult dental procedures. Dental appointments for children are a bit more frequent than for adults. This is because children’s teeth remain in the developmental stage throughout their lifespan and, thus, must be monitored consistently.

For this reason, it is a good idea to take your child to regular dental visits, during which the dentist will check their oral cavity and provide the necessary care.

Now, let’s discuss some standard pediatric dental procedures.

Routine Dental Checkups

Children must be assessed for future dental problems within six months of the first primary tooth eruption. This is usually the time when children get their first primary teeth. Generally, it is recommended that the children be taken to dental care specialists every six months to ensure healthy teeth development.

Also, parents should take their children to dental visits whenever they suspect a heightened risk of dental infections or problems.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride treatment mainly consists of a fluoride varnish applied to a child’s teeth. This fluoride varnish contains high fluoride levels that, when applied to the teeth, help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride treatment is usually recommended every six months, but some children may need even more frequent sessions due to their weaker tooth enamel.

Dental Fillings

A dental filling is one of the best ways to treat cavities in children’s teeth. This treatment uses the same protocols followed to restore adult teeth. The dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and then fills the resultant hollow area with a composite or metal filling material.

Protective Sealants

Protective sealants, or dental sealants, are a thin coating applied to the molars and premolars to prevent cavities. These sealants are applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth. These teeth have deep pits and fissures, which generally become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, raising the risk of cavities. Sealants fill these fissures, preventing the entry of bacteria.

Dental Cleanings

Pediatric dental cleanings can be pretty helpful not only in ridding your child’s teeth of bacteria and other harmful particles but also in encouraging them to adopt healthy dental habits. A typical pediatric dental cleaning session involves the following steps.

• A thorough review of the history of your child’s oral health
• X-rays of the oral cavity
• Removal of any plaque buildup on the teeth
• Using an ultrasonic dental tool to clean teeth from all sides
• Expert flossing followed by teeth polishing
• A detailed review of the dental x-rays test to check for cavities and dental issues
• Analysis of the teeth and gums

Oral Surgery

Specific circumstances, such as trauma or impacted teeth, may necessitate oral surgery for your child. The most common oral surgeries for children include:

• Procedures to expose non-erupting or impacted permanent teeth.
• Tooth extractions.
• Frenectomies.
• Surgery to deal with injury or trauma.

Dental Restorations

Pediatric dental restorations are procedures to treat dental damage, cavities, or other diseases in order to preserve the affected teeth and prevent future problems. The most common pediatric dental restoration procedures include crowns, space maintainers, and braces.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal procedure may become crucial if your child’s tooth has an infected tooth pulp (live nerves and vessels). This procedure involves making a small hole in the crown that passes through the tooth enamel, dentin, and the length of the tooth root. The dentist removes the tooth pulp and abscess around the root through that hole using a thin suction tube. Once the infection has been removed, the dentist fills the tooth’s inner chamber with a rubbery anti-bacterial material called gutta-percha and seals the tooth. In the end, the tooth is secured using a dental crown.

Pediatric Dentistry FAQs

Consult Our Dental Care Specialists

Do you want to acquire the pediatric dental solutions mentioned above to ensure that your child retains a set of healthy pearly whites? EuroMed Clinic is here to help with its state-of-the-art dentistry section and highly skilled staff. All you have to do is book a consultation. You can rest assured that your child will receive the most appropriate treatment for their dental issues.