When should I schedule my childs first dental visit?
Regular dental visits should be a part of every child’s oral health care with the first visit being scheduled by the time the child is 12 months of age or by six months of the appearance of his / her first tooth. From the very first examination, the pediatric dentist will thoroughly check the child’s teeth, gums, jaws, bite, and oral tissues to check growth and development and guide the parents on how to care for the child’s teeth.
How can I help my child avoid cavities?
Establishing and maintaining good oral hygiene practices is key to ensuring that the child’s teeth remain healthy and free from tooth decay and cavities. Poor oral hygiene encourages the growth of bacteria which causes buildup of plaque and tartar in the mouth and eventually leads to cavities and caries. It is also important to monitor the child’s diet to ensure that it has the right amount of nutrition and to limit the consumption of snacks and sugary foods
Does Pediatric teeth require treatment?
Children are prone to various oral health issues including tooth decay, cavities and caries. Contrary to popular belief, damage or decay caused to milk teeth does not go away when the teeth fall out. Instead the decay carries on to the permanent teeth that come later on and can cause discomfort, pain and embarrassment to the child if not treated on time. The child should visit a pediatric dentist at least every six months in order to ensure that potential dental problems are discovered and treated early.
What is Pulpectomy (Baby Root Canal Treatment) in Children?
If the child’s primary tooth is damaged or diseased considerably with the decay seeping to the tooth pulp, a baby root canal treatment or pulpectomy will be recommended by the pediatric dentist. The procedure is usually carried out by a pediatric endodontist who removes the damaged part of the nerves and pup tissues, sterilizes the area, seals up the gap that is created before placing a crown over the tooth for protection. Performing a baby root canal treatment helps to protect and maintain the remaining root structure of the primary tooth as well as the gums, tissues and bones supporting the structure. This also helps to prevent infection and ensure that the permanent tooth that replaces the current primary tooth remains healthy.
