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Pediatric Dentistry: Is It All Child’s Play?

August 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Rob Taylor

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the cares and concerns of our health when we’re adults, but let’s not forget that our little ones need just as much care and attention – sometimes even more so.

We all know that kids can get into all sorts of trouble, whether they’re in the playground or scribbling all over your freshly painted living room wall. Sometimes, though, these mishaps can end up causing a lost tooth or other types of dental damage. That’s where pediatric dentistry comes in. It’s a special branch of dentistry that deals exclusively with children, and it could very well save your child’s smile one day.

What is Pediatric Dentistry?

Because the nature and structure of a child’s teeth differs drastically from that of an adult, the amount of care needed and the way it is delivered needs to be different too. For this reason, pediatric dentistry was created. The ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of pediatric dentistry aims to discover new ways to deal with the various infections and problems that children can encounter, whilst the ‘front line’ is made up of actual pediatric dentists, who are experienced in treating a range of oral hygiene problems in children.

One factor that has to be considered by pediatric dentists is the fact that children often have ‘baby teeth’, which will eventually fall out and be replaced with their adult counterparts. Because the size and shape of these teeth is very different to their adult forms, the tools and procedures are also very different. Pediatric dentists also come across a range of oral hygiene issues with kids because they have a tendency to not want to clean their teeth, and are difficult to convince of the benefits. Call it the arrogance of youth, but for some reason, telling them their teeth will drop out when they’re old doesn’t seem to bother them!

What Are the Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry?

There are a whole host of benefits that are associated with proper pediatric dental care. First and foremost is obviously the health of your child’s teeth. Children are notoriously difficult when it comes to oral hygiene, and a pediatric dentist can give you all sorts of advice which will help you do a better job of imparting the skills necessary for your child to retain a great set of pearly whites.

It is generally recommended that you take your child to see a pediatric dentist roughly once every six months. This will ensure that their teeth are receiving the best possible care. The pediatric dentist will give the child’s teeth a thorough checkup and, if necessary, a good clean. Another benefit of a pediatric dentist is that they are able to provide you with knowledge that you probably couldn’t gain elsewhere. They can teach you how to clean your children’s teeth properly, including flossing and mouthwash if appropriate.

What Sort of Issues can a Pediatric Dentist Deal With?

Pediatric dentists are fully qualified to deal with a range of issues that affect a child’s oral hygiene. For example, your child may at some point suffer from plaque buildup or tooth decay. A pediatric dentist can teach your child how to avoid this situation in future, as well as repairing any damage and removing the plaque. Pediatric dentists can also help with any diseases that may affect your child’s mouth.

Whilst relatively rare, it is possible that your child could contract mild gum disease (known as gingivitis) or an infection (this can happen a lot, as children tend to put things in their mouths). The dentist will be able to treat these problems in a way that is appropriate for a child. There are some ‘adult’ treatments that are simply too harsh to be applied to a child’s mouth. Pediatric dentistry utilizes well researched alternatives to ensure the safety of the child throughout any of these procedures.

Should You Take Your Child to a Pediatric Dentist?

The short answer to this is yes. Overall, it makes a lot more sense to employ someone who is specifically trained in the area to take care of your child’s oral hygiene. Whilst an ‘adult’ dentist will gladly treat a child, there is always a risk that they may not use the most gentle or effective methods to treat a child’s oral hygiene problems.

To be on the safe side, it really is important to have your child’s teeth looked at by a pediatric dentist at least once every six months. If any issues occur ‘in the between’ you can always make an appointment to see a pediatric dentist in the same way you would an adult one. Remember, the health and future of your children’s teeth really is in your hands.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

Filed Under: Child Health Services Tagged With: , , ,

Pediatric Dentistry – How to Maintain Good Oral Health

August 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Maintaining good oral habits is very important to oral health. Teeth, like other body parts, requires regular maintenance to stay clean and healthy. The best thing to do is to start developing healthy habits from a very young age.

During infancy stage (before the age of 2), the teeth of babies are still rather fragile. Therefore, teeth should be cleaned gently using a damp cloth on a regular basis. When the infant grows older to 2 years old, a tooth brush with soft bristles is highly recommended. As for tooth paste, try not to use products that are meant for adults. These products tend to be too heavy in fluoride. Pediatricians recommend using products that are developed specifically for children. Such products tend to be milder and are more suitable for young children. Also, avoid using fluoride mouth washes for children.

Good teeth cleaning habits start from a very young age.

For example, you can teach a child to clean his teeth after every meal. Brushing teeth twice a day will be sufficient.

The only thing you have to be careful about is the amount of fluoride used in teeth brushing. An overdose can cause white spots to appear on the teeth. For young children, only a small amount of fluoride is required with each brushing. To determine the exact amount to use, be sure to check with your pediatrician.

Fluoride is the primary ingredient that helps to prevent cavities. You can’t clean teeth properly without using it, and you can’t use an amount that is too heavy for a child. So the best thing to do is to start from a small dosage, and then increase the amount gradually as the child grows older. Of course, be sure to keep your pediatrician in the loop so that if you are doing something incorrectly, your pediatrician can advise you quickly.

In the beginning, young children will not know how to handle tooth brushes correctly.

The proper brushing techniques will have to be taught to the child. Book an appointment with your pediatrician and have the child learn proper brushing techniques together with the pediatrician. Improper brushing can lead to unclean teeth or even bleeding gum.

For the first couple of weeks or so, you will need to spend time personally with the child to ensure that the child forms the right brushing habit. You also have to be prepared to monitor the brushing techniques to ensure that the young child is doing things correctly. If you spot some mistakes, make sure you correct the child immediately. When you feel that the child can undertake the task in a satisfactory manner, you can stop the monitoring.

Of course, children tend to forget teeth brushing sometimes. Some may grow tired of the brushing and deliberately test your patience by “forgetting”. All you have to do, is to give them gentle reminders every now and then.

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Marietta Dentist – Dentistry for Your Children

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The moment your child’s first teeth show, it is vital for you to start with dental care. It is important for parents to take their kids for regular visits to the dentist.  Do not skip these appointments. In the end it will greatly benefit the overall health of your child. There are quite a few things children should do to maintain good oral health care.

To begin with, you should start with the cleaning of your baby’s teeth.  You can do this with a washcloth or some gauze.  It should take place after your baby has eaten or drunk. You can also speak to your dentist about a toothbrush that will be suited to your baby’s age. Always rinse the toothbrush with warm water before you use it.

More and more children are having their first visit to the dentist at the age of one.  It is from this very first visit that a good relationship can develop between you and your Marietta dentist.  This is the visit that will set up a long term oral care plan for your child.  It is essential to encourage a good connection between your child and the dentist.  You don’t want your child to grow up fearing dentists.

Fluoride treatments, flossing, mouth washing, sealant applications and orthodontics are also necessary for the oral health care of a child. Fluoride treatments will help avoid teeth rotting by preventing excessive acid on the teeth. Fluoride can encourage good oral hygiene in children and also adults.

To be fair, there is a lot of debate surrounding the use of fluoride.  You should make sure your Marietta dentist is consulted in order to maintain the right balance. If you give too much fluoride, it might lead to a condition called fluorosis. This is when small white streaks make their appearance on the teeth. In serious cases of fluorosis, the teeth can have brown stains or even black.  Some cracking may occur. This is a critical condition in children between the ages of 1 and 4 years of age.

It is advised that mouth washing and dental flossing takes place on a daily basis.  Parents should help their children with these tasks to make sure it is done properly. By the age of 7, most children should start using a good mouthwash. Orthodontics can also be started when a child gets to the age of 7. Orthodontics is when children are tested for wrong bites and tooth abnormality. These treatments can help your child to have those perfect white teeth we all want.

The correct tooth care for your child is vital.  If you are unsure about what is best, speak to your dentist.  This is particularly significant when your child is still an infant and if they are younger than the age of 6. Pediatric dentists also advise parents to replace the toothbrushes of their children every two to three months in order to make sure they remain effective and hygienic.

If you follow all of these tips, you will make sure you child has strong healthy teeth for life.  It could be said the foundation of informed and thorough oral hygiene is a long lasting relationship with your Dentist.

Are you looking for a dental experience that wont have your kids dreading that next visit, come see us at Harmony Dental Associates, We are located in Marietta GA, if you are looking for a new dentist in the Marietta GA 30066. The search for a good dentist stops here.

Filed Under: Child Health Services Tagged With: , , ,

Children’s Dentistry Or Pediatric Dentistry Knowledge

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Sophia

Children’s oral hygiene, though, is extremely important and understanding the basics of children’s dental and oral healthcare needs is the first step in helping your child establish a lifetime of healthy oral habits at an early age. One of the best ways to educate children about dental health and maintaining good oral hygiene is to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of children’s dentistry.Dental HabitsChildren can develop dental habits at a very early age. While it is important to maintain good oral habits in children, it is equally important to understand and break the bad habits.Dental ProblemsIf your child does develop dental cavities, you should take him to the dentist for an evaluation and possible fillings. Sometimes he may need dental instruments to cure. Do not be under the misconception that children do not need to have cavities filled because their baby teeth will fall out eventually. The fact is that children keep many of their baby teeth for a long time and cavities can be painful.Tooth Brushing ChartsMy kids love tooth brushing charts and actually like to brush their teeth when I have them hanging on the bathroom wall. I change them out every few months to keep them interested, and they keep brushing. If you’re constantly reminding your children to brush their teeth, try these free printable brushing charts and see if it makes a difference.Educating ChildrenChildren love to have fun while they are learning. Teaching children about good dental health is easy with these fun, free and educational dental activities, such as puzzles, games, printable coloring pages, brushing charts, fun facts, crafts, dental experiments and more.Children’s dentistry is also known as pediatric dentistry. Pediatric dentistry places special importance in preventing tooth decay. Studies show that poor oral health care in children can lead to impaired school performance and poor social relationships. Therefore, Pediatric Dentists give advice on how to make teeth strong the importance of developing healthy eating habits and other ways to prevent disease from occurring.Additionally, Pediatric Dentists work toward the maintenance of primary teeth (baby teeth) until they are naturally lost. This is due to the importance they serve in permitting children to chew properly and therefore maintain good dental handpiece nutrition, their role in speech development, and the maintenance of space for the eventual eruption of the permanent teeth. (teeth whitening)The role of the Pediatric Dentist changes as children enter adolescence. Recognizing the growing importance of appearance and self-image in their patients, Pediatric Dentists work to ensure that adolescents’ dental needs are met. Preventative dental health care is emphasized and when necessary information is provided to adolescents about subjects such as wisdom teeth tobacco use, sealants and oral piercing.

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Children’s Dentistry – Ensuring Children Develop and Maintain a Oral Hygiene Routine

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Surf Pacific

A child’s dental hygiene is one of the foremost thoughts on the mind of any caring parent. Every day, children are exposed to a number of potential dental hazards which if left untreated could lead to loss of teeth, as well as a number of teeth-related illnesses.

Most dentists agree that parents should stress the importance of good oral hygiene to their children. While most parents may take their children in for their first dental visit when they are around three years of age, it is notable that less attention is paid to the dental needs of children when compared to those of adults.Providing Adequate Dental Care for InfantsWhile most parents may cater to the dental needs of their young children, often the subject is neglected when it comes to infants. The common misconception being that infants only take soft foods which do not harm their teeth in any way. If the infant’s dental hygiene is neglected, it may become a problem in the infant’s mouth and tooth development. To foster adequate dental hygiene in infants, parents are advised to properly wipe the infant’s mouth and gums to remove any bacteria.Kids DentistryA kid’s dentist will agree that the child should be taught how to brush their own teeth when they are around two to three years of age. This practise is best cultivated in the child if the parent starts off by brushing the child’s teeth and later encourages them to practice on their own. It is important to remember that when one is training the child on oral hygiene, the process may not always be smooth. However, bit by bit, the child will take up an effective oral hygiene routine.The appropriate time to start scheduling regular visits with a knowledgeable kid’s dentist would be when the child is around the age of three. The first visit would include a general examination of the child in terms of condition of the teeth and gums. Additionally, X-rays will be taken.Importance of Children’s DentistryKnowing when to contact a children’s dentist is vital. At times what may seem like a minor problem may just be the warning signs for a more serious condition. Scheduling regular dental check-ups is one the best ways to catch such early signs. Moreover, preventive dentistry practices such as dental check-ups help to ensure proper oral hygiene and health. Teaching the child the importance of caring for their own teeth will also go a long way to ensuring proper oral hygiene is maintained.

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