Your child’s oral health is important in every aspect of his/her well-being. Pediatric dentistry is an area of dentists that primarily caters to the teeth of infants, children, and adolescents. This area of specialization is particularly important considering young patients need optimum dental treatment care that is both effective and gentle to help nurture their fondness for oral health as soon as possible. 

All of these questions will be answered below in detail: What are the reasons for emphasizing pediatric dentistry? What are the common procedures that one can expect from a dentistry clinic? What will be the process of preparing your child for a dental appointment? What are the practices ensuring that a child has proper oral hygiene at home?

What Is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is a subspecialty of dentistry, which is related to the children’s oral health from the stages of infancy until adolescence. The pediatric dentists are qualified specialists in the oral healthcare of children as they have attended additional training apart from graduating from dental school. These specialists are able to address and manage issues regarding children’ teeth, gums, and other oral health concerns.

Why Should Pediatric Dentistry Be Done?

Children need some dental treatment not only to remain with beautiful colors but also for other important reasons, one of which is children’s oral health. Here are few factors which explain the significance of dentistry for children:

• Prevention and Initial Treatment: regular visits help to identify issues like cavities, tooth and jaw misalignment, gums issues among other problems at an early stage.
• Establishing Oral Hygiene Considerations: The parent gets guidance from pediatric dentists who instruct parents on the correct ways of brushing and flossing and in the process establishing key oral hygiene policies.
• Age Appropriate Treatment: Pediatric teeth and jaws are not similar to those of adults. Specialists in Pediatric Dentistry are able to accommodate the differences and provide specific care to all children.
• Fear resolution: Attending the dentist can be frightening for kids: these specialists make the fear go away by knowing how to make the clinic a warm and inviting space as a way of alleviating fear.

Key Services Offered in Dentistry for Children

Children need to be monitored for various oral conditions by pediatric dentists and here are some of the common services offered to children, these include the following:

1. Routine Check-Ups and Cleanings

Check ups with the dentists on a regular basis help identify the pattern of growth as well as development of teeth and other related structures in a child. Brushing and flossing can only remove initial stages of plaque deposits from the teeth but undisturbed plaque leads to formation of deeper materials like calculus or tartar and hence the need for regular professional cleaning.

2. Fluoride Treatments

Several studies have established a clear positive link between fluoride and prevention of cavities. More reason why parents should ensure that their kids get fluoride treatments during dental check-ups as the procedure includes the application of a gel to enhance the child’s overall dental protection.

3. Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are useful in the provision of protective coats on the molars and can also seal any penetrated surface of a child to enhance healing. The application of the sealant materials seals the non-functional grooves as well as pits on the molars reducing the risks of a dental cavity.

4. Cavity Treatment and Fillings

Fillings involve the placement of artificial materials in cavities to provide support and closure. Materials used in filling cavities are easy to manipulate and tend to adhere to prepared surfaces as well as having a reasonable degree of thermal and chemical resistance. Materials that are child friendly and meet their general standards and aesthetics are used by pediatric dentists when layering the existing cavity surface.

5. Orthodontic Assessments

The pediatric dentist can start the process for patients with orthodontic problems including but not limited to overbited or crooked and uneven teeth. Management can become easier and more effective if carried out earlier. 

6. Habitual counseling 

Sucking their thumbs and grinding their teeth are common things that young children can do as they grow up. People that have this problem, and kids’ dentists can suggest strategies that will help fix these situations before the teeth and jaw are permanently disturbed.

7. Trauma or Dental treatment during Child’s Development

As kids play or during their everyday lives, they get hurt and tend to get these injuries and it can be with regards to there teeth. There are specific dentists who specialize in treating pediatric patients for these very issues. Time of treatment is also something these dentists are trained to do so that there is minimum impact on the injury and the child.

Ways in which parents can make their kid feel comfortable while going for a dental Checkup 

Preparation for the dental visit is very essential as children may traumatize if not handled properly. Some of these things can help in overcoming anxiety prior to the appointment:

Use Appropriate Words: It is important to tell candidates in advance what the dentist is about to do and what they will see at the office. Instead of scary terms such as “pain” and “hurt” Say that it is more of an adventure to go to the dentist and make them feel more positive about the whole idea.

Bring Comfort Items: If your child has a special stuffed animal or comfort blanket, include it in the luggage, so they feel more safe.

Practice Pretend Visits: If you are going to be sitting in the chair in front of the dentist, pretend to be excited to be able to go to the dentist. This way, once they actually go, it will not seem as scary.

Read Books or Watch Videos: There are so many videos and books about going to the dentist that your child can watch and read to help them understand what will happen.

Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene at Home

One of the best ways to ensure that your child has healthy teeth would be to practice these good oral hygiene practices at home from a young age. The following are some ways to help maintain the condition of your child’s teeth:

1. Brush Twice Daily 

Make sure to teach your children to brush their teeth two times a day using fluoride toothpaste. For kids below three years use toothpaste only as a smear. For kids older than three years use toothpaste only in a peashooters” size amount. Ensure that they brush their teeth for a minimum of 2 minutes each time.

2. Floss Daily

As soon as baby teeth start coming loose, you should floss your teeth. Purchase children’s and kid-friendly types of dental flossers to use.

3. Limiting Sugary Foods and Drinks

Cut back on the amount of sugary drinks and snacks your child eats and drinks as they lead to dental cavities. Encourage their consumption of water and milk as the main drinks along with some healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables.

4. Mouthguards

Children are more active and they often get involved in sports, if so, do not allow your child to play without a mouthguard. The mouthguards that dentists make are the most accurate.

5. Show You Establish the Importance

Children are imitative, so set a good example on how one should take care of their teeth. Brush and floss together with your child to illustrate that taking care of and looking after one’s teeth is really important.

When Should You Begin Taking Your Child To The Dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) states that all children should, within the period of their first birthday or when their first tooth erupts. This visit is helpful in that it helps establish a dental home for your child in readiness for any potential problems that may arise in the future, as well as for them to get comfortable in the dental office.

How To Select A Pediatric Dentist

One of the important aspects of your child’s oral health is selecting a pediatric dentist. Choose a dentist who:

• Has completed a pediatric dental fellowship.
• Offers an atmosphere that is appealing to children.
• Can easily work with children, is calm and can effectively express himself/herself.
• Has parents who have given him/her good remarks or endorsements.

Westwood Gardens Dental Clinic: One of the best dental clinics in Richmond Hill, Ontario

For those in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Westwood Gardens Dental Clinic is a trusted provider of high-quality dental care, including partial dentures. Call them today at 647-905-7303 or email info@westwoodgardens-dental.ca to schedule a consultation. You can also visit their clinic at Unit 18, 8868 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 1Z8 for a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plan.

Final Thoughts

Children’s dentistry is very important when it comes to the child’s future oral health and total health. If you take your kid to the pediatric dentist, and they brush and floss regularly, these habits may contribute to the child developing strong teeth and gums. Also, the right dentist and making efforts to make the procedure pleasant will determine whether the child will have nice teeth in the future.

However, learning to care for the teeth properly now will lead to fewer problems later on, which will save resources and time, while making sure the child has a beautiful and healthy smile.