Children Dentistry
Children's dentistry is different from adult dentistry. Certain dental changes can be prevented from an early age, which is why monitoring a child's oral health is essential.
Regular visits to the dentist, starting from the appearance of the first teeth, positively influence the smile, oral health, and education of the future adult.
Regular visits to the dentist, starting from the appearance of the first teeth, positively influence the smile, oral health, and education of the future adult.
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What does pediatric dentistry involve?
Pedodontics, or pediatric dentistry, is a dental specialty focused on the care and treatments designed for children. However, the role of a pedodontist is much more complex.
A good pedodont is not just a doctor but also a psychologist and educator. A children's dentist must have special skills to communicate with kids and make them feel comfortable during procedures.
According to all international forums, parents should bring their baby for a check-up as soon as the first tooth appears. During the first consultation, parents (especially mothers) will receive useful advice on how to care for that tooth and the ones that follow, ensuring the child develops healthy teeth.
Children need proper oral hygiene from an early age, and both parents and the pedodont play a significant role in educating them. The pediatric dentist provides recommendations for correct brushing techniques, identifies cavities and gum diseases in their early stages, and applies necessary pedodontic treatments according to international standards.
According to all international forums, parents should bring their baby for a check-up as soon as the first tooth appears. During the first consultation, parents (especially mothers) will receive useful advice on how to care for that tooth and the ones that follow, ensuring the child develops healthy teeth.
Children need proper oral hygiene from an early age, and both parents and the pedodont play a significant role in educating them. The pediatric dentist provides recommendations for correct brushing techniques, identifies cavities and gum diseases in their early stages, and applies necessary pedodontic treatments according to international standards.
When is the first dental check-up recommended for children?
The first year of life is extremely important (we could even say the first two), because in the first two years, you save teeth that need to last 7-8 years in the mouth.
Parents should take their child to a pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth appears.
The first dental visit should take place before the age of 1.
Ideally, by the age of 3, a child should have 9 dental visits once every four months, rather than every six months like adults. More frequent visits are necessary because dental conditions develop very quickly in baby teeth. In the first year of life, these conditions progress rapidly and can lead to demineralization, which may affect the tooth nerve and result in the complete destruction of the crown. That is why the first year of life is crucial.
Parents should take their child to a pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth appears.
The first dental visit should take place before the age of 1.
Ideally, by the age of 3, a child should have 9 dental visits once every four months, rather than every six months like adults. More frequent visits are necessary because dental conditions develop very quickly in baby teeth. In the first year of life, these conditions progress rapidly and can lead to demineralization, which may affect the tooth nerve and result in the complete destruction of the crown. That is why the first year of life is crucial.
What dental problems do children face?
01
Stage 0-3 years
At this stage, the mother plays an extremely important role in the baby's oral hygiene. From the maternity ward, she should pay attention to oral care just as much as she does to other parts of the body.
Oral hygiene should be performed after every meal, even if no teeth have erupted yet a circular intraoral massage of each dental arch should be done.
After each breastfeeding or feeding session, the baby should be kept upright for about 30 minutes to prevent a possible regurgitation reflex. Regurgitated milk can cause irritation both in the stomach and in the oral cavity.
Oral hygiene should be performed after every meal, even if no teeth have erupted yet a circular intraoral massage of each dental arch should be done.
After each breastfeeding or feeding session, the baby should be kept upright for about 30 minutes to prevent a possible regurgitation reflex. Regurgitated milk can cause irritation both in the stomach and in the oral cavity.
The first tooth can appear around the age of 4 months, while the last molars complete their eruption phase of baby teeth at approximately 2 and a half years. To reduce discomfort during teething, a silicone finger brush can be used this helps the baby get accustomed to having their oral cavity cleaned, making brushing much easier once the first tooth appears.
If teeth are not cleaned properly, demineralization occurs, leading to cavities. At this stage, the most common dental issues children face include:
02
Stage 3-6 years
By the age of 3, every child should have approximately 11 visits to the pediatric dentist.
It is extremely important for the child to build a friendly relationship with their doctor and develop trust.
Any routine dental treatment can be carried out under much better conditions, without anxiety or crying, if these two factors are met.
The period between 4 and 9 years is considered the “age of anxieties” children sometimes hesitate to cooperate, and it is best not to insist
There will be multiple adaptation visits because we aim to facilitate long-term cooperation rather than instill dental anxiety (the fear of dentists that most adults grew up with).
It is extremely important for the child to build a friendly relationship with their doctor and develop trust.
Any routine dental treatment can be carried out under much better conditions, without anxiety or crying, if these two factors are met.
The period between 4 and 9 years is considered the “age of anxieties” children sometimes hesitate to cooperate, and it is best not to insist
There will be multiple adaptation visits because we aim to facilitate long-term cooperation rather than instill dental anxiety (the fear of dentists that most adults grew up with).
If a child reaches the age of 3 with intact, milk-white teeth, you can congratulate yourself on doing a great job your little one has avoided demineralization. However, this does not mean they won’t face dental issues the most common at this stage are interdental cavities.
This stage is also marked by the loss of the first baby teeth, around the age of 5-6 years, and the appearance of the first permanent teeth (six-year molars and lower central incisors). Permanent teeth are more yellowish than baby teeth, twice as large, have a more pronounced edge relief, and, most importantly, are more resistant to bacterial attacks in the oral cavity.
This stage is also marked by the loss of the first baby teeth, around the age of 5-6 years, and the appearance of the first permanent teeth (six-year molars and lower central incisors). Permanent teeth are more yellowish than baby teeth, twice as large, have a more pronounced edge relief, and, most importantly, are more resistant to bacterial attacks in the oral cavity.
At this stage, the most common dental problems encountered in a children's dental clinic are:
03
Stage 6-12 years
During this period, baby teeth are lost and replaced by permanent teeth. An interesting fact is that baby teeth begin to fall out in the exact order in which they appeared the lower central incisors are the first to fall, while the molars are the last.
Once permanent teeth erupt, it is extremely important to monitor their position. Children inherit the shape of the jaw from one parent and the position and shape of the teeth from the other. If you notice that the teeth are misaligned immediately after eruption, an orthodontic consultation is recommended. In fact, the first orthodontic check-up should take place at the age of 7.
Once permanent teeth erupt, it is extremely important to monitor their position. Children inherit the shape of the jaw from one parent and the position and shape of the teeth from the other. If you notice that the teeth are misaligned immediately after eruption, an orthodontic consultation is recommended. In fact, the first orthodontic check-up should take place at the age of 7.
In the case of girls, hormonal imbalances can manifest in the gums, especially during premenstrual periods, causing inflammation and pain during brushing. Such a situation should be handled delicately, as it may lead to inadequate oral hygiene due to discomfort.
Between the ages of 6 and 12, children may experience:
Should I take my child for a check-up even if they don't have dental problems?
Yes, it is important to bring your child for a check-up every 4-6 months, depending on the recommendations of the pediatric dentist. In the early years of life, visits also serve as an adaptation period, this is how we can raise children without fear of the dentist, who enter a dental office with confidence and ease.
Can I take my child to an adult dentist?
You can, but it is not recommended. A pediatric dentist is more than just a pediatric dentist; they are also a psychologist who understands the child's level of thinking and an educator who teaches.
Only a pediatric dentist will know how to get the little patient to cooperate during treatment and which treatments to apply, adapted to their age and dental issues
At Smile Vision Kids, you will always find a team of professionals dedicated and patient pediatric dentists.
What happens during the first consultation?
We get acquainted, inspect the little teeth, identify any problems (if they exist), and discuss the child's oral hygiene. You will receive advice and recommendations on how to perform proper brushing and which oral hygiene products to use according to the child's age.
Your child is unique, and so are their teeth. Schedule a visit to see how their dentition is developing so you can know in advance if corrective measures are needed.
Your child is unique, and so are their teeth. Schedule a visit to see how their dentition is developing so you can know in advance if corrective measures are needed.
Dental treatments for children based on age
Treatments for children require special attention, as their first visits to the dental office influence their trust in the dental care system. That’s why, before starting any pediatric dental treatment, we work together with parents to find the right communication approach for each young patient.
Our specialists at Smile Vision clinic provide dental treatments for both baby teeth and permanent teeth.
Our specialists at Smile Vision clinic provide dental treatments for both baby teeth and permanent teeth.
The dentist can determine during a routine check-up whether the baby needs fluoridation, it is especially recommended in cases where there are chalky spots on the tooth surface or enamel issues. During the consultation, cleaning can also be performed to maintain dental health and instill habits that will accompany the child throughout their life.
The most common dental lesions we encounter starting at the age of 4 are interdental cavities in the molar area. Interdental cavities are dental conditions that occur between teeth, where brushing with a toothbrush can be difficult or ineffective.
To prevent the recurrence of cavities, dental cleaning in the clinic is recommended to remove plaque (in children this young, we cannot yet talk about tartar).
To prevent the recurrence of cavities, dental cleaning in the clinic is recommended to remove plaque (in children this young, we cannot yet talk about tartar).
Temporary teeth have the same structure as permanent teeth, so they also have roots containing the dental nerve and blood vessels that provide vitality. Due to cavities or trauma, the nerve can become inflamed, leading to acute pain and potentially complicating into an infectious process (abscess). In such cases, endodontic treatment is required, which follows a process similar to endodontic treatments performed on permanent teeth.
Sealing baby teeth is the best preventive method for young children, as baby teeth decay faster than permanent teeth. Sealing is especially important for molars because they will be the last to fall out, around the age of 12-13 years. Sealing is only done on healthy teeth, specifically those in the back of the dental arches molars to enhance protection.
There are situations where teeth grinding becomes pathological, leading to tooth wear or mobility of permanent teeth. The solution for this habit is wearing a myofunctional appliance or bruxism mouthguards during the night.
White spots on the tooth surface and white lines at the base of tooth eruption are clear signs of dental demineralization. Stopping the progression of demineralization is the first step our doctors take, using various treatment protocols in the clinic and continuing at home (hygienic-dietary regimen, specific products applied to the teeth depending on the stage of the condition).
Desensitization is performed through:
Caries lesions have unaesthetic consequences, which are even more bothersome when they are in the smile zone. Even for temporary teeth, we have solutions to restore dental integrity, color, and function through the use of preformed pedodontic caps or high-performance zirconium crowns.
MIH is a syndrome with unknown causes that appears on permanent teeth immediately after eruption, affecting the upper central incisors, sometimes the lower ones, and the first permanent molars (six-year molars). The enamel color differs from that of healthy enamel. Chalky white, yellowish, or even brown spots with irregularities may appear. The tooth may erupt completely without enamel on the cusps (exposed), with hypomineralized enamel resembling volcanic rock.
Immediate intervention is required, with treatment being non-invasive in the early stages. MIH can sometimes cause significant discomfort due to hypersensitivity in affected teeth.
Immediate intervention is required, with treatment being non-invasive in the early stages. MIH can sometimes cause significant discomfort due to hypersensitivity in affected teeth.
Around the age of 7-8 years, it is recommended that all children have a specialized orthodontic consultation. The earlier the intervention, the easier and more effective the correction of various orthodontic issues, also reducing the risk of relapse.
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