What is Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry)?

Pedodontics, also called pediatric dentistry, deals with dentistry practices for children aged 0 to 14 years. Since teeth vary between adults and children, diseases and disorders of teeth also require different treatment approaches. Therefore, regular examination by a pedodontist is recommended to maintain oral and dental health of your child.

Pedodontic Examination

Pedodontic examinations aim to protect primary and adult teeth of children. This examination is recommended especially for diagnosis and treatment of early infancy cavity, also called nursing bottle decay.

Pedodontic practices not only focus on treatment, but also on preventive measures. Thus, permanent or adult teeth erupt in a healthier and more aesthetic manner. Since primary teeth play a very critical role in childhood, it is, undoubtedly, important to maintain health of primary teeth in your child through regular examinations.

Pedodontic Treatments by Age Group

Following an examination by pedodontist, the best treatment is planned according to age range and dental development of the child. Since it covers a wide range (0 to 16 years), an appropriate treatment is planned for each age range.

Pedodontic Examination at Regular Intervals

Dentist visit twice a year will ensure that primary teeth and adult teeth are checked and you are informed about their position in mouth and changes in teeth loss and eruption. Your dentist will address fluoride gel/varnish or fissure sealants to protect teeth, if they are appropriate for your child.

What is Fissure Sealant?

Fissure sealants are a type of fillers applied to grooves on chewing surfaces, as these surfaces are very prone to decay in anatomical terms. Fissure sealants are applied to certain parts of teeth that are severely prone to cavities and are extremely difficult to clean; thus, food residues cannot accumulate there and tooth decay is prevented. Fissure sealants are not temporary treatments; similar to fillers, they are fixed to anterior surface of our teeth and they can be seen.

What is fluoride gel/varnish?

Fluoride is an element that is found in various foods, such as milk, tea, coffee, salt and water, and also in our body. Since they are found in structure of teeth and they strengthen teeth against decay, they are added to toothpaste. Your dentist can professionally apply fluoride gel or fluoride varnish on teeth of your child depending on the cavities. When applied on teeth at certain intervals, fluoride makes contributions to a stronger dental structure against decays.

Emergencies of Pedodontics

Toothache:

Clean the periphery of tooth with ache. Wash your mouth cavity with tepid salty water and remove impacted food residues, if any, with dental floss. Do not place aspirin or similar medications between teeth. Give your child a pain killer that you have verified its efficiency in the past and bring your child to a dentist as soon as possible.

If the tooth is dislocated due to trauma;

Find the tooth. Remove it, but pay maximum attention to avoid contact to the root. Milk is the optimal medium to store the tooth until the dentist visit. Put the tooth into milk in a clean cup and visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Trauma of primary or adult teeth;

Contact your dentist without wasting any time. The damage further aggravates in each hour lost until dentist visit.

Bite on Lip, Tongue or Cheek;

Apply ice compression on the wound. If you see bleeding, apply pressure gently with a clean gauze. Visit your dentist, if bleeding persists beyond 15 minutes.

Until you visit your dentist’s office;

Clean the wound with warm water. Apply cold compress. Keep the broken fragments of tooth/teeth, if any.