| Answers
to parents on issues of their children's dental health What
is Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is the specialty of dentistry
that focuses on the oral health and unique needs of young people.
After completing a five-year dental school curriculum, two to three
additional years of rigorous training is required to become a paediatric
dentist. This specialized program of study and hands-on experience
prepares pediatric dentists to meet the unique needs of your infants,
children and adolescents, including persons with special health
care needs.
We are concerned about your child’s total health care. Good oral
health is an important part of total health. Establishing us as
your child’s, “Dental Home” provides us the opportunity to implement
preventive dental health habits that keep a child free from dental/oral
disease. We focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of
dental diseases, and keep current on the latest advances in dentistry
for children.
Pediatric dentists also carry the responsibility to refer the child
to another specialist if needed (e.g. the orthodontist).
Pleasant visits to the dental office promote the establishment of
trust and confidence in your child that will last a lifetime. Our
goal, along with our staff, is to help all children feel good about
visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth.
From our special office design, to our communication style, our
main concern is what is best for your child.
The importance of Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
It is very important that primary teeth are kept
in place until they are lost naturally. These teeth serve a number
of critical functions:
- Maintain good nutrition
by permitting your child to chew properly.
- A tooth with an abscess
can cause pain, swelling and even fever to the child. Children
with teeth abscesses are often underweight.
- Are involved in speech
development.
- Promote the proper
development of the jaws.
- Help the permanent
teeth by saving space for them.
- A healthy smile can
help children feel good about the way they look to others.
Recalls
How often should a
child see the dentist?
Both the European and the American Academy of
Paediatric Dentistry recommends 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 paediatric dentist will let
you know the best appointment schedule for your child.
Why visit the dentist twice
a year when my child has never had a cavity?
Regular dental visits 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.
Hygiene instructions improve your child's brushing and flossing,
leading to cleaner teeth and healthier gums.
Tooth decay isn't the only reason for
a dental visit. Your pediatric dentist provides an ongoing assessment
of changes in your child's oral health. For example, your child
may need additional fluoride, dietary changes, or sealants for ideal
dental health. The paediatric dentist may identify orthodontic problems
and suggest treatment to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth.
What are sealants?
Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces
of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where
most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded plastic,
sealants are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free.
Even if your child brushes and flosses carefully, it is difficult
- sometimes impossible -to clean the tiny grooves and pits on certain
teeth. Food and bacteria build up in these crevices, placing your
child in danger of tooth decay. Sealants "seal out" food
and plaque thus, reducing the risk of decay.
How long do sealants last?
Research shows that sealants can last for many
years if properly cared for. So, your child will be protected throughout
the most cavity-prone years. If your child has good oral hygiene
and avoids biting hard objects, sealants will last longer. Your
paediatric dentist will check the sealants during routine dental
visits and can recommend reapplication or repair when necessary. |
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