Pediatric Dentistry

Children are more prone to dental problems than any other disease; dental disease is 5 times more common in children than asthma. In addition, pediatric dentistry is much more than just dental procedures; it closely correlates with the child’s oral health and overall dental habits. 

In this guide, we will tell you about the common procedures in pediatric dentistry, their benefits, and their effect on children. It can help you in navigating your kid smoothly through his/her early dental journey. 

Benefits of Pediatric dentistry: 

• During pediatric sessions, children also gain knowledge about proper brushing and flossing, which promotes oral hygiene in kids. 
• Pediatric procedures allow for the early detection and prompt treatment of dental issues, minimizing the need for more extensive treatments later. 
• Teeth cleaning and fluoride can prevent the kids from potential cavities or tooth decay. 
• Pediatric restorative dental procedures can repair teeth to restore their function and structure. This prevents the kid’s teeth from further deterioration or problems. 
• The primary teeth are the placeholders of the secondary teeth, and the pediatric dental procedures focus on them. This is because these are essential for maintaining proper spacing and facilitating adequate chewing and speech development.
• Pediatric dental evaluation/ Checkups also involve the early detection of any issues with the alignment and the development of the teeth and jaws. These issues are complex, and their early detection can help us reduce their complexity by addressing them promptly. 
• Pediatric dentistry allows the child to speak and eat comfortably and thus promotes overall well-being. 

Why do children need pediatric dental care? 

The baby teeth of the children begin to grow in the first 6 to 8 months of life. At the age of 6 to 7 years, these teeth of the babies fall, and they begin to grow a new set of teeth, which are called the secondary permanent teeth. 

Pediatric dental care is crucial for kids because during this phase in their lives, they need the care of a pediatric dentist. Without the close attention of the pediatrician, they may face dental problems, effects of which can last a lifetime. The most common problems that children face during this stage are usually decayed teeth, overgrown teeth, overlapped teeth, crowded teeth, or dental infections.  

What procedures do pediatric dentists provide? 

Infant oral health exams: 

Pediatric dentists check more than just teeth; they look at your child’ jaw, facial bones, and teeth that are still growing and yet to come to the surface. The infant oral health examinations help dentists spot potential problems with the child’s teeth early. After the detection of the problem, the dentists can easily devise a precise and customised plan for the kids. 

Even if your child is below 6 to 7, it is still important to get an early assessment because their teeth are not just stand-ins that are going to fall off. Baby teeth are just as important as the permanent teeth because they make space for the adult teeth. If non-permanent teeth have any issues, then the same issues will be transferred to the adult teeth.  

Cleaning: 

Pediatric cleaning is the procedure done by professionals to get rid of stains, plaque, and tartar from the surface of the teeth. During the professional cleaning, the pediatrician uses specialized tools to meticulously clean the teeth and gums, and also the areas that are harder to clean by brushing and flossing, and thus are left uncleaned the majority of the time. When the buildup of harmful bacteria and foreign substances is cleaned, eventually it can help prevent the kids from tooth decay and gum disease. 

Fluoride Treatment: 

Fluoride treatment involves the topical application of a highly concentrated fluoride solution, such as varnish or gel, to a child’s teeth. The fluoride bond switches the calcium and phosphate in tooth enamel. In this way, it strengthens the enamel, making it more resilient against the acid attacks produced by the plaque bacteria. It can also reverse the early signs of tooth decay by rebuilding weakened enamel. 

This treatment is a vital part of preventive pediatric dentistry and is recommended by the American Dental Association for children who have a high potential of developing cavities. Through research, it has been found that the fluoride treatment by the pediatric dentist can decrease the chances of tooth decay in children by up to 30%. 

Dental crowns:

 Dental crowns in pediatric dentistry are the protective caps that cover severely decayed, fractured, or otherwise damaged baby teeth to restore their function, strength, and appearance. These protective caps help the neighboring teeth from further decay and preserve the space for the permanent adult tooth. 

Common materials for the crowns include stainless steel and tooth colored options like zirconia composite. Crowns are important for optimal mouth functioning because baby teeth play a vital role in a child’s eating, speaking, and the proper alignment of the adult teeth. 

Dental extractions: 

Dental extraction is a pediatric dentistry procedure in which one or more teeth are extracted. They can be baby teeth, overcrowded teeth, or teeth that can pose a problem to the adult teeth. Extraction is crucial when the tooth is decayed or damaged beyond repair. The procedure is done under anesthesia or sedation to numb the mouth from any pain. 

Dental fillings: 

Dental filling is also a restorative procedure in paediatric dentistry that is used to repair affected teeth caused by cavities to decay. The professionals scoop out the decayed part of the teeth and fill the gap with suitable dental material. 

These cavities are repaired with fillings such as stainless steel crowns for extensive damage, tooth colored resin material, or silver diamine fluoride (SDF) applications for filling decay without delay. This is done to fix small to moderate cavities to restore the tooth’s function and appearance. 

Best pediatric dentist near me: 

You can consult Dr. Usama Hayat if you want the best pediatric doctor near you in F-7 Markaz. 

Best pediatric dentist in Islamabad: 

Dr. Usama, as one of the best child dentists in Islamabad, knows that children experience anxiety, and due to this, they associate the dental check-ups and procedures with negative emotions. So he uses the specific behavioral management techniques to make the kids as at ease as possible. He uses an agae age-appropriate language to explain procedures to the kids in a fun way. 

In addition to that, Dr. Usama has also decorated his office keeping in mind the likes and dislikes of the kids. His office is fun, warm, and decorated with bright colors. The main theme of his room is fun and adventurous, which makes the child more comfortable, and mostly the kids at his consultation seem to enjoy their visit. This is done so that the child visits the pediatric clinic willingly.  

Frequently asked questions: