Humans start teething when they are as young as 6 months old and develop their set of primary
‘milk’ teeth.
At the age of 6-7 years, humans start losing their milk teeth and the permanent set of teeth
start emerging. Because the milk teeth will eventually fall off, some parents tend to ignore
taking their child to a dentist.
However, these milk teeth form the basis of developing permanent teeth. If proper care is not
taken the problems can emerge which will last a lifetime. In recent years the cases of caries in
children have grown manifold. Therefore, it is always advised to start taking care of your
baby’s teeth in the very early stages of their life. This includes setting Oral Hygiene routine
and regular visits to pediatric dentist.
Kids Dentist or Pediatric Dentist are trained to take care of dental complexities of kids and teens. Pediatric dentistry is a separate field dedicated to kids, their Oral Health prevention and preparation for the future.
Pediatric Dentist work towards maintaining good oral health in kids. The treatment provided by them includes:
Root Canal Treatment In Milk Teeth
If you think your child is too young to need root canal treatment, think again — there is no
age limit for this treatment. If his/her primary (baby) teeth have been injured, or if decay
has advanced deep into the roots of your child’s teeth, a root canal treatment to stabilize
teeth may be needed.
Root canal treatment removes the infection from the pulp, the living tissue that is found
inside the tooth’s roots. The pulp contains the tooth’s nerves, so tooth pain is often an
indication that decay has moved into the pulp.
Root canal treatment is a simple procedure wherein instruments are used to clean the root
canals of teeth followed by inserting a medication so as to maintain the teeth properly in
the oral cavity.
Frequently children acquire certain habits that may either temporarily or permanently be
harmful to teeth and tooth supporting structures. These habits are acquired as a result of
repetition. In the initial stages, there is a conscious effort to perform the act. Later the
act becomes less conscious and if repeated often enough may enter the realms of
unconsciousness. Some common oral habits seen in children include thumb sucking, mouth
breathing, tongue thrusting, lip biting, grinding of teeth and nail-biting.
Certain reminding appliances called habit breaking appliances assist the
child who is
willing to quit the habit but is not able to do so as the habit has entered the subconscious
level. They may be removable or fixed appliances.
Common Appliances in Pediatric Dentistry:
Fluoride Application
A common problem for which parents usually take their children to the dentist is decay. This
is because there is a lack of proper dexterity of brushing in children. To avoid the problem
of decay, parents should get the Fluoride application treatment in children at regular
intervals. Fluoride helps to fight plaque and bacteria which can cause enamel loss which
further causes cavities. Fluoride also strengthens the tooth structure & helps in bone
growth. Under this treatment, the dentist incorporates fluoride ions into the tooth
structure making them more prone to acid dissolution. This treatment is equally useful for
both milk & permanent teeth.
Sealants
The main reason for decay is the food and bacteria that is trapped in the pits & fissures of
teeth. We chew food from the back teeth like molars and premolars which are never flat. The
pits & fissures as discussed above are the depressions on these back teeth. They function as
potential traps for bacteria & food and make it susceptible to decay. Therefore, as a
preventive measure, certain pits and fissure sealants are placed.
Dental sealants then come to the rescue. Sealants are plastic coatings placed on the chewing
surface of the permanent tooth. They protect the tooth from decay. Because of fissures the
permanent back teeth, molars, and premolars are vulnerable to decay.
As we talked about the habits, it is important to inculcate the habit of maintaining good
oral health at a very initial stage. This is an investment which will pay lifelong dividends
in the form of healthy teeth and a healthy lifestyle. Parents should take initiatives to
teach their children the correct technique of brushing and for that, it is highly important
that they themselves should know the correct way of brushing. Make brushing a fun-filled
activity for your child, brush along with them and encourage them to take preventive
actions.
Toothpaste And Toothbrush
Apart from the aforementioned treatment options, make sure that your kids brush twice daily.
Brushing before sleeping is extremely important because the food you eat during the day get
stuck between your teeth and bacteria in your mouth will feed on that food overnight causing
decay. If possible teach your child how to floss as it is the added protection for your
teeth
Pediatric dental visits cost a little less than adult visits generally. For most of the services like cleaning and common checkup, the prices are affordable. However, some dental treatments can be marginally higher in cost if your child’s dental health is not immaculate. You can learn more about them in detail by visiting any of our dental clinics in India. 2HF has experienced specialists for kids dental care right in your neighborhood. Ideally, it is advised that a child’s first dental visit should be planned when the first tooth erupts
Q.1. What Is The Minimum Age For Visiting A Kid’s Dentist?
You should take your child to the pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts in
their mouth, or right around the time your child turns one. Book an appointment with an
expert at your nearest 2hf Clinic for pediatric consultation.
Q.2. How Long Should A Child Visit A Pediatric Dentist?
It is mandatory for a child to see a pediatric dentist till the age of 14, because by this
time, all of their permanent teeth have grown out. Beyond this, it is the choice of the
child and his/her parents. However, it is recommended that a child should visit a pediatric
dentist till the age of 16.
Q.3. When Should A Child Start Brushing?
For children, brushing should start with the eruption of the first tooth. However, expert
kids dentist advice to make sure that the amount of toothpaste should be very small, almost
equivalent to a grain of rice.
Q.4. Should Mothers Clean The Mouth Of Babies If There Are No Teeth?
It is extremely important to maintain oral hygiene and keep the mouth clean & clear of
germs, irrespective of the age. Mothers can clean the mouth, both upper and lower jaw, of
their children with the help of a soft cloth
Q.5. Is It Normal For Babies To Have A White Tongue?
Most babies have a white coating on their tongue in the initial few weeks, which is
completely normal. There is nothing wrong with their oral hygiene.
Q.6. What Is The Importance Of Milk Teeth?
As milk teeth erupt and fall, people often think that they do not matter in the overall part
of oral hygiene. However, milk teeth play some really important roles, like:
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