Pediatric Dentistry: Definition and its Importance
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, all children must see a pediatric dentist by the age of one.
You might be wondering, isn't it too early?
Is pediatric dentistry different, what is its importance, there are endless questions.
Well, let us discuss this in detail to get a clear-cut idea.
What is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pediatric Dentistry or Pedodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the oral health care of children right from birth to adolescence.
As the body develops and grows many changes take place. Some of the changes occur in the gums, teeth, and jaw. An average child develops their primary teeth in the first 6 months. By the age of 6, they generally lose the first set of teeth. These are replaced by secondary or permanent teeth. So there is a requirement for special care and treatment that comes under Pediatric Dentistry.
What is the role of a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric Dentists have both education and experience to treat dental problems in infants, children, and teenagers. They have to undergo 2 additional years of residency training in dentistry for children, infants, teens, and children with special needs.
Their job is to go for comprehensive oral health that includes
- Oral health examinations
- Cleaning and treatment of teeth
- Removal of tooth cavity
- Correction or straightening of teeth
- Repairing dental injuries if any
- Managing gum diseases that can lead to pediatric periodontal disease
- Detecting various oral health issues at early stages and treating them
- Habit counseling like thumb sucking
- Diet recommendation, etc
You can visit advanced dental care in Brooklyn for proper care and treatment of your child’s teeth.
Why is Pediatric Dentistry Important?
By the age of 2, 1 out of 10 children has cavities. The percentage increases to 28% by the age of 3 and 50% by the age of 5.
Oral health plays a crucial role in the overall health of a child. The mouth is the entry point to the rest of the body. If it remains clean and disease-free, your child will develop and grow to the fullest. But if it remains filled with harmful bacteria, the possibility of developing certain diseases will be higher.
This is why consistent dental care is crucial. It will prevent your child from developing severe tooth disease.
Moreover, one of the skills that pediatric dentists have is to quickly evaluate the proper development of your child’s teeth and jaw. If they find any issue, they will take immediate action to fix it before it becomes a difficult job to handle. This prevents your child from severe pain and restrictions in the future.
A pediatric dentist will not only educate you but your child too on developing good habits that last for a lifetime. Some of the good habits are
- Regular brushing and flossing to keep excess bacteria under control.
- How to chew food properly?
- What to eat and what not?
- Proper technique to brush teeth, etc.
