Dentistry for children
Pediatric dentistry: the basics of a healthy smile
Paediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental problems in children and adolescents.
It has an important role in promoting good oral hygiene, forming habits and reducing the anxiety often associated with dental treatment.
Here are some of its features:
1. Prevention is the most important: the primary goal of paediatric dentistry is to prevent tooth decay and other tooth and gum diseases. This is achieved through fluoride treatments, brushing education and proper nutritional advice.
2. Management and Preservation of Milk Teeth: maintaining milk teeth health is critical as they play a vital role in maintaining permanent tooth position, chewing function and speech development.
3. Special Techniques and Approaches: children are sensitive patients, so paediatric dentists use special techniques during treatment, including behavioural therapy, to minimise fear and anxiety.
4. Early Detection: early detection of orthodontic abnormalities or malformations of the teeth can often greatly simplify subsequent treatment.
5. Correcting bad habits: children can sometimes develop habits such as finger sucking or teeth grinding that can cause problems in the long term. The role of paediatric dentistry is to prevent and treat these habits.
6. Treating Traumatic Injuries: tooth injuries are common in children, and can be caused by competitive sports or simple accidents. Pediatric dentists treat these types of injuries, such as chipped baby teeth or cracked teeth.
Overall, paediatric dentistry is not just about dental care; it is a support system to help parents and their children understand the importance of oral hygiene habits and their lifelong impact.
Dental problems in childhood
Dental problems in children are quite common and many factors can influence their development.
Here are some common problems and how to deal with them:
- Dental caries: dental caries is one of the most common dental problems in children. Poor oral hygiene, consumption of sweet drinks and foods can increase the risk of tooth decay. Regular brushing, flossing, fluoride toothpastes and dental treatments can help preventing this.
- Gingivitis: Although less common, gingivitis can occur in children. Bleeding, swollen or red gums may be one of the signs. Regular teeth cleaning and improving oral hygiene are key to prevention.
- Tooth replacement and growth: when baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth erupt, various problems can develop, such as tooth crowding or bite problems. Regular dental check-ups are therefore important.
- Injuries to teeth: accidents that can cause tooth injuries, such as tooth eruption or loosening, are common in children. In such cases, rapid dental intervention may be required.
- Tooth discolouration: poor oral hygiene, certain foods and drinks, and certain infections of the oral cavity can also cause discolouration. Regular dental check-ups are needed to prevent or correct the problem.
- Correcting unwanted habits: habits such as finger sucking, nasal or mouth breathing or teeth grinding can negatively affect the condition of teeth and jaw development. The help of dentists and other professionals can be important in preventing and treating these.
An important part of prevention is developing healthy habits from an early age, including regular brushing, following a healthy diet and attending dental check-ups. If you have any problems, it’s a good idea to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
Prevention for your child’s health
Preventing dental problems in children is of paramount importance, as early oral hygiene habits can have a long-term impact on dental health in adulthood.
Here are some basic steps you can take to help keep your child healthy:
- Regular brushing: teach children to brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. It is recommended to use fluoride toothpaste, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay.
- Developing oral care habits: it is important that children learn to floss, especially in hard-to-reach places. Parents can help initially to ensure that the child learns the correct technique.
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is essential for healthy teeth. Avoid excessive sugary and acidic drinks and snacking regularly between meals.
- Regular dental check-ups: it is a good idea to take your child for a dental check-up at least every six months to detect and treat any problems early.
- Fluoride treatment: your dentist may also recommend fluoride treatments to further strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to decay.
- Groove closure: protective coatings are often applied to the molars to prevent caries from developing in these zones.
- Leading by example: parents can set an important example by maintaining regular and thorough oral hygiene, which they can encourage their children to adopt.
Thoughtful and consistent oral care not only benefits dental health, but also the well-being of the whole body in general, as maintaining oral health can benefit many other bodily processes.
The steps above can help you develop good oral hygiene habits that last a lifetime.
What is a groove closure?
Why is groove closure necessary?
The chewing surface of the back molars has deep grooves, grooves that provide an ideal place for plaque and food debris to accumulate. These hard-to-reach areas encourage bacterial colonisation, which can quickly worsen and lead to tooth decay.
How is the groove closure done?
1. Preparation: before the procedure, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned to remove plaque and tartar. The teeth are then dried to ensure that the sealant adheres properly.
2. Surface preparation: the tooth enamel is treated with a special solution to create microscopic irregularities on the surface, thus improving the adhesion of the groove sealant.
3. Applying a groove sealant: The dentist applies a liquid resin-based sealant to the grooves. The material fills the grooves and forms a thin coating on the tooth surface.
4. Bonding: most modern groove sealants are illuminated with a special light source to harden and form a durable overlay.
5. Check: the dentist will carefully check the positioning and surface evenness of the sealant to ensure proper protection and comfort for the patient.
The benefits of grooving
- Increased protection: prevents bacteria and plaque from entering deep grooves, reducing the risk of tooth decay.
- Easy cleaning: the smoother surface is easier to clean, so food residue and plaque can be removed more effectively during daily brushing.
- Painless: the procedure is quick and requires no drilling, so it is painless for the patient.
- Long-term protection: although the barrier material may wear off over time, it provides protection for many years, especially for children.
Who should get a groove closure?
This can be particularly useful for children who are just starting to develop permanent molars, but it can also be used in older people if the grooves are still deep and difficult to clean.
It plays a key role in maintaining healthy teeth and has a long-term preventive effect against tooth decay.