Pediatric dentistry is the field of dentistry devoted to children’s oral health care from infancy until adolescence. The dental team specializing in children’s care comprises more than one dentist.
The pediatric dentistry team may include a pediatric dentist, dental hygienists, registered nurses, and sometimes orthodontists. A typical day for a pediatric dentist usually involves seeing new patients and providing pre-operative teaching to parents about how to brush teeth and floss them at home and how to use dental fluoride treatments like varnish.
Pediatric dentists offer preventive and therapeutic services to keep children’s teeth and gums healthy. They provide exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, fillings, and root canal therapy for any dental diseases that may occur.
A pediatric dentist may be seen as a medical doctor who practices dentistry’s preventive and therapeutic aspects on children. Many pediatric dentists also bring in specially trained technicians to assist with exams, treatment procedures, and cleaning.
Pediatric dentists are physicians that offer comprehensive oral health care to children from birth to age 18. The goal of pediatric dentistry is to prevent a wide variety of dental problems, educate and assist families in maintaining sound oral health, and ultimately prevent dental diseases.
Benefits of pediatric dentistry
1. Preventive care (exams, x-rays, and cleanings)
The number one benefit obtained by pediatric dentistry is preventing any dental problems. By having a professional exam at the very early stages of a child’s development, every dental problem can be identified and treated early.
2. Early intervention (root canal therapy)
Children may experience chronic oral health issues from poor hygiene as children get older. Preventative care is the best way to prevent the various types of teeth and gum diseases that could potentially lead to more serious dental problems. By maintaining good oral hygiene and a healthy diet, children can maintain their teeth and gums until they get professional care.
3. Treatment of dental defects (cavities)
Children between the ages of 2 and 11 have a greater risk of developing cavities than older children, especially if they are not regularly getting routine exams or cleanings. Prevention and early intervention will help prevent the incidence of dental disease.
4. Familiarity and access to dental care
It is a good idea for children to become familiar with their dentist and their dental office, making it more comfortable when they are older. This will help as they get older and can make more of an active decision on which dentist and practice they would like to use.
5. A general overview of their oral health
As children age and become more involved in activities such as sports, they tend to consume a lot of sugary foods and drinks, leading to problems such as cavities. Pediatric dentists can do regular exams that include x-rays to determine any potential dental problems before they become bigger issues.
To sum it up, pediatric dentistry is a profession that prides itself on keeping children’s teeth and gums healthy. It is a very important part of a child’s life, especially when they start to receive instructions on how to do their teeth and gum care as they become older.