It is very important to start dental treatments at a young age. Because the oral and dental structure is still developing during these periods, the rate of response of the teeth to the treatments is higher. In addition, it is more possible to get positive results from the treatments at an early age. Pedodontics is known as pediatric dentistry and deals with the oral and dental health of children from infancy to adolescence. Pedodontists monitor children’s dental development and detect and treat problems that may occur at an early age. Among the main goals of the field of pedodontics is to provide children with healthy dental habits without making them fear the dentist.
What is Pedodontics?
The word pedodontics, which comes from Latin, means “children’s teeth”. The main branch of science that aims to make the milk and permanent teeth of children between the ages of 0 and 12 healthy and to eliminate problems is called pedodontics. Pediatric dentistry follows the oral and dental health of children from infancy and the developments in the jaw-facial region. When necessary, treatments are applied to prevent problems, and sometimes preventive applications are used to prevent dental problems.
What are the Main Topics of Pedodontics?
Pedodontic treatment covers all processes related to children’s oral and dental health. The main topics that pedodontists are interested in are as follows:
- Preventive dentistry
- Root canal treatment
- Bruxism treatment
- Treatment of genetic dental problems
- Orthodontic treatments for prevention and intervention
- Treatment of caries and caries-related tissue loss
- Preventive applications against gum diseases
- Care and nutrition trainings
- Preventing fear of dentists in children
- Space-retaining treatments to prevent tooth extraction and tooth shifts
In Which Areas Do Pedodontists Work?
Pedodontists, who work specifically in the field of oral and dental health of children, perform many different applications. A pedodontist offers the following services:
- The pediatric dentist examines babies at the 6th month of life, when the first tooth erupts. This checks whether the tooth is erupting properly or whether there is any decay.
- Pedodontists, who perform routine examinations every 6 months, check the oral and dental health of children, perform treatment when necessary and try to prevent possible risks.
- In order to protect oral and dental health in children, pedodontists apply fluoride application.
- It is among the duties of pedodontists to treat pain and abscesses caused by dental infections in children.
- Pediatric dentists perform applications such as root canal treatment and crowns on children’s milk teeth when necessary. It is a wrong idea not to take care of milk teeth, which are important for healthy chewing and speech, because they will fall out anyway.
Why is dental treatment important for children?
Oral and dental hygiene should be given importance from an early age. Since the mouth is the area with the richest bacterial flora in the body, it also affects general health. Bacteria can multiply and differentiate due to the constant presence of different foods. Especially disease-causing bacteria are found in a certain balance in the oral environment and if this balance is maintained, no problems occur. However, in the absence of regular care, their number increases and they cause plaque. In children, this basic cycle starts from the 6th month. Therefore, it is very important to contact a pediatric dentist as soon as the teeth erupt.
FAQ
How to protect children’s dental health?
Regular brushing, flossing, healthy eating and regular dental check-ups are very important to maintain dental health in children. Children should also avoid sugary and acidic foods.
How often should children visit the dentist?
The frequency of children’s visits to the dentist may vary depending on their oral and dental problems and their age. However, it is recommended that they visit a pedodontist regularly at least every 6 months.
Why are milk teeth important in children and how to protect them?
Primary teeth support the development of children’s speech, chewing and social skills. They also act as placeholders for the permanent teeth to erupt properly. Regular dental check-ups, tooth brushing and a healthy diet are very important to protect milk teeth.
