P ediatric dentistry is the specialty of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of children from birth through adolescence. Babies, infants, children of primary school, adolescents and children with special needs all require a different approach since they are in a different level of dental and skeletal development. Pediatric dentistry applies specialized preventive programs according to the needs of the children securing a caries free mouth.
We are concerned about your child’s total health care. Good oral health is an important part of general health. We focus mainly on prevention, early detection and treatment of dental diseases thus promoting dental health habits that keep a child free from dental disease.
Pleasant visits to the dental office promote the establishment of trust and confidence in your child that will last a lifetime. Our goal is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth.
Why are primary teeth so important ?
It is important that primary teeth kept in place until they are lost naturally.These teeth serve a significant role for the normal development of our young patients. Primary teeth:
● Maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly.
● Are basically involved in speech development and correct pronounciation.
● Help the eruption of the permanent teeth by saving space for them.
● A healthy smile can help children feel good about the way they look to others
How often should a child visit the dentist?
We recommend a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children. Some children need more frequent dental visits because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns or poor oral hygiene. Your pediatric dentist will let you know the best appointment schedule for your child. These regural visits to the dentist will help your child stay cavity-free. Teeth cleanings remove debris that build up on the teeth, irritate the gums and cause decay. Fluoride treatments renew the fluoride content in the enamel, strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. Finally, hygiene instructions improve your child’s brushing and flossing, leading to cleaner teeth and healthier gums.
Why is preventive dentistry important?
Preventive dentistry means a healthy smile for your child. Children with healthy mouths chew more easily and gain more nutrients from the foods they eat. They learn to speak more quickly and clearly. They have a better chance of general health, beacause disease in the mouth can endanger the rest of the body. A healthy mouth is more attractive, giving children confidence in their appearance.
Preventive dentistry means less extensive and less expensive treatment for your child and it begins with the eruption of the first tooth. Visit your pediatric dentist after the eruption of the first tooth by age one and learn how to protect your infant’s dental health. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental disease and helping your child build a cavity-free smile.
Tooth cleaning and polishing and fluoride treatment are all part of your child’s prevention program. However there can be more to be done. For example, your pediatric dentist can apply sealants to protect your child from tooth decay, manufacture a mouth guard to prevent sports injuries to the face and teeth, and provide early diagnosis and care of orthodontic problems.