In dentistry, we have several specialized fields for which treatments are to be carried out in a specialized manner. For example, to correct dental irregularities, we have dental orthodontics; for treatments related to the root of the tooth, we have endo or root therapy, etc. We also have a specialized branch called pediatric dentistry to manage dental problems in children. As a professional pediatric dentist in Scarborough explains, a series of measures to prevent, manage and treat oral and dental problems of children and adolescents from the age of 6 months to the age of 20 (or the time when the last permanent tooth erupts) is collectively called pediatric dentistry.
What Exactly Does a Children’s Dental Clinic Provide?
Some of the essential procedures provided by the best pediatric dental clinics are listed in the list below:
Early Detection of Dental Cavities
Dental cavities are holes that are caused by tooth decay. The main symptom of a tooth cavity is a hole in the tooth. But sometimes, this condition may not be associated with any symptoms. So timely diagnosis can prevent other problems.
Treatment of Tooth Decay in Children
Within six months after the baby’s first tooth erupts, take your baby to a pediatric dentist for an examination and to receive accurate health information and advice. Clean your baby’s teeth when they grow up to about 1.5 years old, at night before going to sleep using a sterile cloth or gauze, or finger brushes.
If the child is used to frequent milk feeding, try to gradually reduce the number of feeding times and give the child water after each feeding to remove the extra milk from the teeth. Plan a regular schedule for the child’s main meals and snacks and minimize the number of snacks.
Fissure Sealant in Children’s Dentistry
Fissure sealant is almost the same color as the tooth, which blocks the grooves and prevents decay from this area. This work is a preventive treatment. The first and second molars are the most important teeth for which fissure sealant is recommended.
Because the permanent first molars appear in the child’s mouth at the age of 6-7 years and tooth number 7 or the second permanent molars appear in the child’s mouth at around the age of 12, the best time to perform fissure sealant for the sixth tooth is at the age of 6-7 years and for the teeth Seven are 12 to 13 years old.
Dental Fluoride Therapy for Children
Fluoride is a natural mineral and many foods, such as tea, water, seafood, vegetables, etc. Even if a child does not have tooth decay, topical fluoride is recommended to increase the amount of fluoride in newly grown tooth enamel and increase the resistance of these teeth against decay.
Fluoride therapy is performed in the dental office with different types of fluoride, which can be in the form of gel, foam, or materials called dental varnish. Doing this does not require dental anesthesia and is not painful for the child.
Orthodontics of Children’s Teeth
How Maintaining and caring for baby teeth in childhood greatly impacts the growth of permanent teeth. For this reason, children should visit the dentist regularly to solve the problems related to their teeth and prepare for having healthy and well-shaped permanent teeth.
Most children begin active orthodontic treatment between the ages of 9 and 14. Orthodontists recommend correcting your child’s dental problems while they are still growing. Because after they reach the age of growth and maturity, orthodontic treatment processes may be longer and more expensive.
