Pediatric dentists or pedodontists provide care for young patients from childhood to adolescence. There are nine dental fields, one of which is pediatric dentistry. This type of dentist offers a wide range of procedures. After dental school, pediatric dentists devote two or three years to learning how to treat children.
They also obtain kid psychology and dental care training, enabling them to interact better with kids. A pediatric dentist can also detect and treat dental infections that affect a kid’s teeth and mouth’s appearance and wellness. The following are some of the pediatric dentists’ most popular dental services.
What Does a Pediatric Dentist Do?
Pediatric dentists provide the routine checkups and procedures kids need to maintain their dental wellness in tip-top shape. These are some of the most common procedures provided by these professionals:
1. Regular Dental Checkups for Children and Teens
The health of your child’s teeth is essential to their general health. Routine exams often include a professional cleaning to remove the unhealthy tartar and plaque buildup on the teeth. However, the examination by the pediatric dentist is usually the most fundamental part of the consultation.
Schedule a visit for your kid to ensure their teeth and gums are developing normally and capture any potential issues early.
2. Dental X-Rays
Dental x-rays are necessary for recognizing issues beneath the gums and teeth. They should be taken yearly by children and teenagers. The dentist can see cavities and decay between your teeth that would otherwise go undiscovered without utilizing X-rays.
As a child’s permanent teeth appear, x-rays can find troubles with alignment and catch impacted teeth before they become a concern. Your kid may need more than one x-ray yearly if the pediatric dentist detects any issues. Check out this family dental care to learn more.
3. Dental Fillings
The most typical dental issue in kids are cavities and tooth decay. Neglected decayed teeth affect 20% of children aged 5 to 11, resulting in pain and infections. Although fillings can return the teeth to normal function, they are often uncomfortable, even for adults.
A pediatric dentist is skilled at placing fillings in smaller mouths while making the procedure appear more satisfying than you imagined. The benefits of pediatric dental training become even more evident during similar procedures.
4. Tooth Extractions
If a tooth has been fractured or is severely decayed, a dentist might advise having the tooth extracted in order to avoid more complications. Removal might be needed when a tooth is impacted, which means it is trapped underneath the gums. Impacted teeth can cause major oral health issues and also face shape issues.
5. Sealants
Prevention is always the best medicine for growing teeth. Sealants are a basic and effective method to prevent cavities from developing in your teeth. A thin coating called a sealant is put on the chewing surface of teeth. It sets almost immediately after being painted to ensure kids can chew again immediately. Sealants can prevent approximately 80% of molar cavities. There is typically no need for drilling or numbing throughout the procedure.
6. Orthodontic Treatments
Many parents bring their kids to a pediatric dentist for orthodontic procedures. By slowly applying pressure over time, orthodontic devices such as braces, Invisalign, and others straighten teeth. You can visit this Invisalign provider for more detailed information.
An orthodontic procedure is suggested for children between 7 and 10. Before age 7, a child should have their teeth checked by an orthodontist to identify any potential problems and start treatment.
