Pedodontics Pediatric Dentistry

Pedodontics or pediatric dentistry is a specialty of dentistry in which treatments are applied for the healthy eruption and protection of the teeth of children between the ages of 0-13. People who specialize in this branch of dentistry are called pediatric dentists or pedodontists. As it is known, children and adults have different dental structures and needs. A pediatric dentist checks, treats and helps maintain the health of children’s teeth and gums. The dental treatment experience for children can be more difficult than for adults. Fear and anxiety about sitting in the dentist’s chair are higher in children. Pedodontists are trained to make the treatment process more enjoyable for patients between the ages of 0-13. For this reason, even children who have a phobia of going to the dentist can be treated as long as the appropriate environment is provided.

What Does Pediatric Dentistry Look For?

  • Tooth extractions
  • Preventive treatments
  • Oral care recommendations for pediatric patients
  • Milk and permanent dental treatments
  • Treatments of dental trauma
  • Placeholder implementation
  • Protective orthodontic treatments
  • Pediatric endodontic treatments
  • Scaling cleaning
  • Treatment of harmful oral habits such as nail biting and thumb sucking
  • Applications against tooth decay
Apart from children aged 0-13, people with mental or physical disabilities and who require special care also benefit from the pedodontic service area. The treatment process is tried to be managed by applying methods such as local anesthesia or general anesthesia in patients whose dental treatment is difficult or whose age is very young due to their disability. The patient who visits the doctor is first examined. Many criteria are evaluated, such as whether there is any disorder in the alignment of the teeth, the condition of the gums, the formation of caries, the symmetry of the closure in the jaw. The patient’s complaint, if any, is listened to and a diagnosis is made after the examination. Afterwards, the necessary pedodontic treatment method is applied.

When Should Children Have Their First Dental Examination?

The first milk teeth begin to erupt in children at 6 months. It takes 2.5 years for all milk teeth to erupt. According to the World Health Organization, the child can be taken to the first dental examination between 6 months and 1 year of age after the first tooth erupts.

Even if there is no problem, it is recommended to be examined by a dentist once every 6 months. This way, a minor problem can be diagnosed early and treated before it grows. Pedodontic specialists know child psychology and how to approach the patient. They are the first dental treatment experience of children and their first experience is very valuable for preventing dentist phobia in the future. In addition, preventive treatments against caries can be applied to protect the permanent teeth they will have in a healthy and proper way.

Dental Preventive Applications in Children

Fissure Sealants Fissure sealants, also known as fissure sealant, are a kind of preventive treatment method applied in pediatric dentistry to prevent cavities. Since the teeth have an indented and protruding structure, they are prone to food accumulation when not brushed properly. Especially in children who cannot maintain oral hygiene and do not have the habit of brushing, tooth decay becomes commonplace. As a precaution against this, the tooth surface is covered with fissure sealants and made flat. It is easier to clean and caries formation is prevented.

Topical Fluoride Application: Topical fluoride applications are another preventive application used in children. It is done by applying products such as fluoride gels and solutions to children. The fluoride substance used in this application makes it possible to reduce tooth decay by 30-40%. Since children do not have the right tooth brushing habits, the top surface of the tooth is covered with topical fluoride. Thanks to this layer, teeth become resistant to decay.