Pedodontics is a dental specialty concerned with mouth and tooth health of children. A specialized pedodontist can make children feel comfortable during the dental check-up or treatment; can detect the dental problem and guide you in the prevention of dental cavities and periodontal disease.Routine dental check-ups which allow early diagnosis is very important for your child’s mouth and tooth health.Therefore you should have your child checked up by a dentist every 6 months.
Just after the first birthday take your child to the dentist.Do not be late by waiting the primary tooth are erupted.
All types of dental treatments such as cleaning , filling, root canal treatment, flouride application,restorations including dental education and monitoring of dental eruption performed by pedodontists.
A dental sealant is a clear or white, liquid-plastic material applied on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pit and fissure) of the teeth surfaces making them smooth and much easier to clean by brushing.
The role of dental sealants is to act as a barrier, protecting the enamel from the acids produced by the bacteria of dental plaque. The use of pit and fissure sealants has been shown to reduce tooth decay and cavities by more than 50% (and over 70% along with proper dental hygiene). Dental sealants are effective in preventing pit and fissure cavities and complement fluoride’s role which is more effective for smooth surface cavities.
Enamel, the outer layer of the crown of a tooth (the visible part), is made of closely packed mineral crystals. Every day, minerals are lost and gained from inside the enamel crystals through processes called demineralization and remineralization. Demineralization occurs when acids, formed from the combination of plaque bacteria and sugar in your mouth, dissolve the crystals and the spaces between them. But this process is balanced by remineralization, in which minerals such as fluoride, calcium and phosphate are deposited inside the enamel, building it back up. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel leads to tooth decay.
Fluoride strengthens teeth by helping to speed remineralization and disrupt the production of acids by bacteria. Fluoride can be incorporated into teeth in two ways. When children swallow fluoride in small doses (through food, supplements or fluoridated water), it enters the bloodstream and becomes incorporated in their developing permanent teeth, making it harder for acids to cause demineralization. Fluoride also can enter teeth directly in the mouth when it is applied at the dental office, when you brush with fluoride toothpaste or use a fluoride rinse and when fluoridated water washes over your teeth as you drink.
Fluoride treatments help to prevent decay in both children and adults. The fluoride treatments are really helpful If your child has a history of cavities or is at high risk of decay. Often, children get fluoride treatments every six months for extra protection against cavities, even if they already drink fluoridated water.
Anyone who is at risk of dental decay is a good candidate for fluoride treatments. Factors that increase the risk of tooth decay include; history of cavities, infrequent dental visits, poor brushing habits and dietary factors, especially frequent snacking.