Pediatric Dentistry is the area of Dental Medicine that works in the prevention and dental treatment of children and young people, both with milk teeth (deciduous) and permanent ones.
Although not definitive, Milk Teeth in children are very important, and an incorrect hygiene or poor oral condition can lead to more complicated future adversities. This Dentition has the functions of:
- Chewing;
- Keep space for permanent teeth;
- Influence the growth of the Jaws;
- Phonetics;
- Aesthetics;
- Breathing;
- Deglutition.
A first appointment, which should take place as soon as the first teeth are born, can be fundamental in preventing future oral conditions, ensuring that adulthood is reached with a healthy, aesthetic and functional mouth. In Oral Health, prevention is always more effective than treatment!
Your child’s first pediatric dentistry appointment
The first visit to the dentist is very important in our life. A good experience can avoid the fears or traumas that are associated with this area of medicine.
At Prime Dental Clinic, we count on Dr. Joana Costa, a dentist with exclusive practice in pediatric dentistry, with extensive experience in creating an excellent relationship with the youngest, demystifying what it means to go to the dentist.
In the first appointment, we start with the observation of the baby’s oral condition. Even when there are no visible adverse conditions, it is important to consult a specialist, who can detect trends such as breathing and chewing problems.
Another important facet of this appointment is that the Dentist in charge can explain to the parents the entire process of dental growth that their children will go through. Any problems, solutions and any additional questions that parents have will be clarified. Every piece of relevant information regarding the diet, oral hygiene and fluoride will be given to the parents.
Early oral analysis of children in pediatric dentistry appointments is the best prevention of future occlusal problems.
We recommend that the first pediatric dentistry visit be made before the child reaches his or her first year of age. Baby teeth are very sensitive to tooth decay.
Dentists specializing in Pediatric Dentistry, after a first analysis, can determine if the child has a tendency to create various types of infections or pathologies and will recommend special attentions that parents should have to prevent their development.
The importance of baby teeth
The milk teeth have a great importance in the development of children, so it is always important to treat them with all the care and attention. Not only will these teeth have a great impact on the comfort and well-being of the youngest, they will also be decisive in the processes of:
Speech development
Good oral health and dental positioning will influence the entire process of learning speech and future diction, and may be decisive in preventing bad oral addictions.
Development of facial structure
A good dental development will be decisive for the correct growth of all the bone and muscular structure in the children’s face.
Chewing
The appearance of the first teeth will allow children to start moving from liquid to solid foods. The teeth’s condition is important to avoid pain in this process.
Permanent dentition orientation
The milk dentition will be occupying the position of the future permanent teeth, being responsible for their correct positioning while they are being born.
FAQ
When should be children’s first dental appointment?
We always recommend parents to bring their children to Prime Dental Clinic when the first teeth start to be born or at the latest when the children are 1 year old.
This is the best time to prevent future adversities such as the appearance of tooth decay or incorrect occlusion, and to give parents all the information about the entire oral development process and the care they should have.
How should children’s teeth be cleaned?
Parents must start cleaning the children’s teeth as soon as they are born.
Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, being mandatory before bed to prevent tooth decay and oral infections.
There are proper hygiene instruments for the youngest, made to be gentler on baby teeth.
Consult your Pediatric Dentist to be sure of the most recommended utensils for your child’s oral condition
Should children floss?
As soon as they have 2 adjacent teeth it is recommended to start flossing in conjunction with regular brushing. Starting early with correct hygiene habits is the best way to keep them as you reach adulthood.
When should children stop using the pacifier and the baby bottle?
The habit of sucking is natural in children, offering comfort and the idea of safety.
However, when these remain for several years, they can cause complications to their oral health, causing malocclusion, incorrect positioning of the teeth and complications in the speech learning process.
By the first year, children should leave the bottle and start using the cup, and by age 3, children should stop using pacifiers and avoid creating the habit of sucking their thumbs.
What should parents do when the permanent teeth start to grow, before the baby teeth fall?
Sometimes it happens that a baby tooth is left shaking for a long time and the definitive one starts to grow before the first one falls out.
In these cases it is still important that children do not force the tooth out.
If you consider that the situation has lasted for a long time, make an appointment with your pediatric dentist.
Should milk teeth be treated when they have cavities?
Baby teeth must always be free of cavities, otherwise they may compromise not only the hill tooth, but also the adjacent teeth or even the permanent teeth.
It is important to bear in mind that a tooth with decay can create intense pain for the child as if it were a permanent tooth.
Contacts
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