PEDODONTICS-PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Pedodontics, that is, pediatric dentistry, is the field of expertise related to protecting and treating both milk and permanent teeth of children from birth to adolescence. The first appointment with the dentist may occur with the first primary tooth eruption. In this way, the physician can inform the family about nutritional habits, oral care and caries prevention practices. Bacteria that cause tooth decay can be transmitted from mother to child. For this reason, the child should not bring the bottle or spoon into the mother’s mouth.
Baby teeth usually begin to erupt between 6-12 months. When the child is 3 years old, a total of 20 milk teeth are expected. Milk teeth serve not only for aesthetics, chewing and speaking, but also as placeholders for permanent teeth that will grow in the future. For this reason, oral care should be done carefully from the moment the first teeth appear in the mouth and regular physician checks should be made.The palate can be wiped with a damp cloth after the baby is fed, even before the teeth erupt in the mouth. After the teeth are in the mouth, cleaning should be started with a small soft brush and water. After the age of 3, it can be brushed by adding a small piece of fluorine paste to the brush. Since the dexterity of children is not fully developed, the teeth should be brushed by the parents until a certain age.
What is baby bottle tooth decay?
Dental caries, which are seen in the early period in children and are generally common, are called baby bottle tooth decays. Mostly the upper anterior teeth are affected. Among the reasons, the mother’s breastfeeding the baby during the night, and the baby’s putting the baby to sleep with bottles filled with sugary liquids such as milk with honey can be given as an example. In order to prevent baby bottle caries, a bottle should not be used during sleep or water should be drunk immediately after the bottle, and teeth and gums should be brushed.
Treatments
After cleaning the caries in primary or permanent teeth damaged by caries, materials such as composite, compomer, glass ionomer are filled. In deeper caries, further treatments such as primary tooth root canal treatments, amputation, and removal of the pulp (nerves) of the tooth can be performed. If the tooth is in worse condition, early milk tooth extraction may be required. In these cases, a placeholder application is required to protect the permanent teeth. Treatments can be performed safely under general anesthesia or sedation in children who are overly anxious, unable to communicate, and children with special needs who cannot be treated while awake.
Protective applications
Fluoride application: Tooth enamel-strengthening fluoride preparations are applied topically to the tooth surface.
Fissure sealant: By covering the crevices and pits on the chewing surface of the teeth with fissure sealant, bacteria and nutrients are prevented from reaching.