What is pediatric dentistry?
It’s the branch of dentistry that deals with all the related oral health issues of a child from infancy through adolescence.
Every child develops an initial set of 20 teeth known as deciduous teeth or primary teeth.
It’s a wrong and common belief that there is no benefit in treating them since they’re temporary.
This set of teeth is very important for the growth and well-being of the child; it ensures the ease of chewing and digestion and the establishment of a self-confident child without any appearance insecurities.
Eruption of primary teeth:
The development of primary teeth begins early during pregnancy.
At birth, the child is born with a complete set of 20 hidden primary teeth, also known as baby teeth. They begin to erupt by the age of 6 months.
Most of the primary teeth will have erupted by the age of 3 years. They will soon be replaced by the permanent teeth in a long process starting at the age of 6 years.
The eruption and shedding times vary from one child to another within a range of time.
What is dental caries, and does it happen to primary teeth?
Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavities, is the main disease that affects the teeth of any individual.
It’s caused by bacteria and microorganisms that produce acids that harm the enamel surface of the tooth. In simpler words, it’s the process by which sugars and a type of bacteria in the mouth can cause harmful effects on the three surfaces of the tooth, resulting in a cavity in the tooth and causing pain and discomfort.
A disturbing fact is that caries is more likely to occur and develop in primary teeth than in permanent ones.
It happens when the child consumes a lot of sugary foods and drinks for long periods of time.
Early childhood caries, or baby bottle caries, is the type of tooth decay that can affect baby teeth as soon as they erupt, and it can affect one tooth or more.
What does dental caries look like?
Tooth decay, or dental caries, can vary in appearance from one child to another.
But most commonly, it begins as white spots on the outer surface of the tooth.
An early cavity or decay begins to show, and it gets darker in color; it has a light brown color.
Then, as the cavity progresses, it becomes deeper and darker in color, and it has a dark brown or black color.
It gets painful as it proceeds to the inner layers of the tooth as the cavity grows bigger.
But the decay is not always painful; sometimes it is discovered by parents or doctors without any complaint from the child.
How do I prevent primary tooth decay?
Prevention of dental caries includes a routine of regular tooth brushing at least twice per day and dental flossing once a day.
As soon as the first tooth appears, parents should begin brushing a baby’s teeth with a rice-sized small amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day. And of course, never share utensils between family members.
Make sure your child eats a well-balanced diet and limits snacks that are sticky and sugary.
Fluoride application in the dental office is an effective method of prevention. It’s proven to reduce dental caries by 38% over two years when done every six months.
How to treat primary teeth
Like permanent teeth, a child’s teeth should be treated from decay in the dental office under local or general anesthesia (according to the case).
There are several types of dental filling materials that can be selected by the dentist, such as glass ionomer, composite, or amalgam.
Also, there are a variety of fixed restorations that can be made in selected cases, such as zirconium or stainless-steel crowns.
In some cases, the dentist must extract a tooth as a result of extreme decay or tooth crowding.
Can children have gum diseases?
While gum diseases are most commonly seen in adults, they occur in kids as well.
Gingivitis is the most common gum disease in children; it is the reddening of the color of the child’s gum that causes pain and bleeding during brushing.
It is a mild form of gum disease and is usually treated without medications or surgical interference.
What causes gingivitis in children?
Like permanent teeth, a child’s teeth should be treated from decay in the dental office under local or general anesthesia (according to the case).
There are several types of dental filling materials that can be selected by the dentist, such as glass ionomer, composite, or amalgam.
Also, there are a variety of fixed restorations that can be made in selected cases, such as zirconium or stainless-steel crowns.
In some cases, the dentist must extract a tooth as a result of extreme decay or tooth crowding.
What causes gingivitis in children?
The main reason for this gum disease is poor oral hygiene, which causes the accumulation of plaque on the teeth’s surfaces due to improper cleaning and brushing. Plaque later hardens into something called tartar or calculus, which is hard and can’t be removed at home by a regular toothbrush. It can only be removed at the dental office using special tools.
Other reasons for gum diseases:
➥ certain illnesses and diseases, as diabetes increases the risk of gum diseases.
➥ Some medications cause a reduction in salivary production, thus decreasing the washing away of plaque.
➥ Hormonal changes like puberty can cause sensitivity to the gums.
➥ Teeth clenching or grinding can cause recession of the gums and the collection of bacteria.
➥ Genetics: a family history of gum disease can make the child more likely to have the same condition.
Can children experience tooth sensitivity?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Children can experience tooth sensitivity just like adults. It’s an unpleasant, painful sensation usually caused after eating hot or cold food or even brushing your teeth.
Any tooth consists of three layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp.
When the enamel layer is affected and lost, the dentin, which has nerve tissues within, becomes exposed, leading to immediate discomfort with triggers such as hot, cold, or sugary foods.
When should my child get an orthodontic checkup?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that any child have an orthodontic assessment by age 7.
If you think your child has misaligned or crowded teeth, you should plan on getting help from an orthodontist as soon as possible in order to fix the problem properly before it further develops.
The main goal of orthodontic treatment is to provide enough space for the correct eruption of the permanent teeth.
The early stage of orthodontic treatment begins between the ages of 2 and 6 years old.
What are space maintainers, and why are they essential?
When a primary tooth is extracted before its proper shedding time, a space maintainer such as a band and loop must be used to preserve the space of the removed tooth so that the permanent tooth finds its right spot to erupt.
Without the use of space maintainers, the permanent tooth may not erupt in its right position, causing crowding or spacing between teeth.
How safe are dental implants?
➥ Child oral health examination and risk assessment for caries.
➥ Repair of tooth cavities and decay using different restorative materials such as composite, glass ionomer, and amalgam.
➥ Preventive measures such as fluoride application and bits and fissures sealant for prevention of caries progression
➥ Diet recommendations and habit consultation
➥ Genetics: a family history of gum disease can make the child more likely to have the same condition.
➥ Diet recommendations and habit consultation.
➥ Extraction of destructed teeth.
➥ Space maintainers.
➥ Treatment of gum diseases.
➥ Zirconia and stainless steel crowns to protect teeth after treatment of some extensive carious lesions.
At Al-Alem Dental Center, we use the most recent technologies and tools to treat your child with the utmost care to ensure the health of their teeth and keep their smile as shiny as ever.
