Everything You Need to Know About Pediatric Dentists
Pediatric dentists or pedodontists offer care for young patients from childhood to teens. There are nine dental specialties, one of which is pediatric dentistry. This type of dentist provides a wide range of treatments. After dental school, pediatric dentists devote two or three years to understanding how to treat children.
They also obtain kid psychology and dental care training, allowing them to communicate better with children. A pediatric dentist can also diagnose and treat dental infections that affect a child’s teeth and mouth’s appearance and wellness. The following are some of the pediatric dentists’ most typical dental procedures.
What Does a Pediatric Dentist Do?
Pediatric dentists offer the routine exams and procedures kids need to maintain their oral health in great shape. These are some of the most popular procedures given by these specialists:
1. Routine Dental Examinations for Kids and Teens
The condition of your child’s teeth is crucial to their overall health. Routine examinations often include a professional cleaning to remove the unhealthy tartar and plaque buildup on the teeth. However, the examination by the pediatric dentist is typically the most vital part of the consultation.
Taking your child to a family dental clinic regularly is essential to guarantee their teeth and gums are developing normally and to catch any potential issues early.
2. Dental X-Rays
Dental x-rays are essential for detecting problems underneath the gums and teeth, and they should be taken yearly by kids and teens. The dentist can see cavities and decay between your teeth that would otherwise go undiscovered without utilizing X-rays.
As a child’s permanent teeth appear, x-rays can find problems with placement and catch impacted teeth before they become a concern. Your child might need more than one x-ray annually if the pediatric dentist notices any issues and also to treat the teeth of your kid with care.
3. Dental Fillings
The most typical dental issue in children is cavities and tooth decay. Untreated decayed teeth affect 20% of kids aged 5 to 11, causing pain and infections. Although fillings can return the teeth to their usual function, they are usually uncomfortable, even for adults.
A pediatric dentist is trained at putting fillings in smaller mouths while making the procedure appear more satisfying than you might have imagined. The benefits of pediatric dental training become much more apparent during treatments similar to this.
4. Tooth Removals
If a tooth has been fractured or is seriously decayed, a dentist might advise removing the tooth to avoid further problems. An extraction may be needed when a tooth is impacted, which means it is trapped beneath the gums. Impacted teeth can lead to serious dental health problems and also facial shape problems.
5. Sealants
Prevention is always the best treatment for growing teeth. Sealants are easy and effective in preventing cavities from forming in your teeth. A thin layer called a sealant is placed on the chewing surface of teeth. It hardens almost immediately after being painted to ensure kids can chew again immediately. Sealants can prevent up to 80% of molar cavities. There is often no need for drilling or numbing during the procedure.
6. Orthodontic Treatments
Numerous parents bring their children to a pediatric dentist for orthodontic procedures. By slowly applying pressure, orthodontic devices such as braces, Invisalign, and others straighten teeth. Look for an excellent Invisalign treatment in Jaffrey for more details.
Orthodontic treatment is suggested for children between the ages of 7 and 10. Before age 7, a child should have their teeth checked by an orthodontist to spot any potential problems and begin treatment.
