Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is the branch of dentistry dealing with children from birth through adolescence.

Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications.

Pediatric dentistry involves comprehensive oral health care that includes the following:

• Infant oral health exams, which include risk assessment for caries in mother and child

• Preventive dental care including cleaning and fluoride treatments, as well as nutrition and diet recommendations

• Habit counseling (for example, pacifier use and thumb sucking)

• Early assessment and treatment for straightening teeth and correcting an improper bite (orthodontics)

• Repair of tooth cavities or defects

• Diagnosis of oral conditions associated with diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, hay fever, and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder

• Management of gum diseases and conditions including ulcers, short frenulae, mucoceles, and pediatric periodontal disease

• Care for dental injuries (for example, fractured, displaced, or knocked-out teeth)