Pedodontics – Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry, also known as pedodontics, is a sub-branch of dentistry that deals only with children’s mouth and oral health. Pediatric dentist, on the other hand, is a dentist who deals only with the oral and dental health of the children from infancy to adolescence. The pedodontist is responsible for making all kinds of predictions, procedures and treatments regarding the dental and oral health of the child, from the loss of milk teeth to the formation of molar teeth, from providing the oral hygiene to preventing the possible cavities that may occur. Before trusting your child to any dentist, you need to make sure that the doctor has information about the child's mouth and teeth structure, knows which treatment methods are suitable for the children, and is a physician with experience in pediatric dentistry. Problems such as teething, tooth decay or grinding will produce much more effective and positive results when handled by a pedodontist.Click the link to contact us.

Why Pedodontics?

When taking your child to a dentist for the first dental examination, you may not particularly think of taking him to a pedodontist; after all, every dentist is considered to have the capacity and competence to examine your child. On the other hand, it is useful to know that the oral and dental structure of the children is quite different from the oral and dental structure of the adults; this requires a special experience and attention of a pedodontist who is specialized only in children. Being specialized in the field of pediatric dental diseases requires more detailed scientific research and plenty of experience, as well as an extra education in addition to dental education. This specialization includes special courses and subjects such as child development, child psychology, anesthesia and pediatrics related to children.

Pedodontists apply similar procedures and treatment methods to general dentists. However, due to the specialized training they received during their residency, they are capable and competent to cope with the various difficult situations that may occur in different oral structures, especially infants, children and adolescents. Children may respond to dental dental treatments and the dental consulting room in different ways. However, a child who is not used to going to dentists may feel fear and anxiety before the treatment. In such cases, it is essential that the physician in question both knows how to deal with the child's behavior and can take precautions such as sedation or general anesthesia when necessary.

What Treatments & Procedures a Pedodontist takes into Consideration?

Pedodontics education and clinical practices include many different treatment methods related to the dental and oral health of the children. It is possible to list the main areas of expertise of a pedodontist as follows:
– Preventive dentistry practices
– Protective and stopper orthodontic treatments
– Oral and dental hygiene training
– Healthy nutrition education
– Raising awareness of the parents related to pedodontics
– Treatment of caries in milk and permanent teeth
– Treatment of conditions such as child tooth fracture, dislocation or crack
– Child tooth extraction in cases of necessity
– Placeholder treatment methods that prevent tooth shifts
– Preventive treatment techniques in case of a child grinding or clenching teeth
– Special, protective and preventive mouth plates application for children who do sports
– Treatment of gum disease in children
– Treatment against genetic problems
In short, it is possible to say that a pedodontist takes care of all oral and dental problems that a child may face from birth to adolescence. In this process, working with a pedodontist that your child will love, trust and not be afraid to visit will help him/her to be on good terms with dentists when he/she grows up, always protect his/her oral and dental health and make the decision to go to the dentist when necessary.

Questions which are Frequently Asked Related to the Oral and Dental Health in Children

Having a child brings with it an unlimited number of responsibilities. Just like in every aspect of your health, you want your oral and dental health to be maintained in the best possible way, so you want them to receive the best care and service they can get. However, most of the time, parents – especially those who have children for the first time – are left alone with questions that they find it difficult to find answers to when it comes to the oral and dental health of their children. Here are some of those questions and the answers given by our expert dentists.

What should I use to clean my baby's milk teeth?

A soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head is sufficient to remove bacterial plaque that can cause cavities on your baby's teeth. It is sufficient to brush your baby's teeth once a day before going to bed.

When should I take my baby for the first dental checkup?

In order to prevent future oral and dental problems and to take preventive measures, you should take your baby to a pedodontist as soon as he/she turns 1 year old. If the first tooth comes out before this time, it is useful to see a pediatric dentist as soon as the tooth comes out. Thus, the doctor can apply for early diagnosis and treatment methods by observing your child's oral development, and you, as a parent, will have specified your responsibilities regarding your child's dental care.

How can I prepare my baby for the first dental visit?

Before coming for the examination, get detailed information about exactly what kind of procedures will be performed by meeting with the pedodontist; so that neither you nor your child will encounter any surprises when you come to the medical examination. Establish an action plan in your mind by anticipating your child's reactions during the doctor's visit. Thus, when you encounter unexpected situations and reactions, you will be more prepared and calm about the solution. Do not forget to tell your child where and what you are going for so that she/he can adjust her/his expectations, and also to bring your child's medical history records to help the doctor.

How should milk teeth be taken care of?

When it comes to milk teeth care, it should be said that care should be started before the teeth come out. Clean your baby's gums with a warm wet cloth at regular intervals and massage your baby's gums with the help of special baby teethers that fit on your thumb. Most parents do not attach much importance to milk teeth because they will fall out anyway; But the truth is that baby teeth not only help your baby eat and talk, they also make room for the permanent teeth that will be replaced. That's why you should take care of milk teeth at least as much as permanent teeth, brush and care for them regularly.

What should I do when my baby has a toothache?

Especially in the period when milk teeth first come out, your baby may face uncomfortable tooth and gum pain. In order to reduce the pain, you should first rinse the aching side with warm salt water, and then apply a cold compress to that part if it causes swelling on the face. It is quite normal for your baby to feel pain and discomfort when milk teeth are coming out; however, you should definitely visit your dentist when you are facing with an abnormal and non-stop pain. However, in order to relieve your baby, who is facing gum itching during the coming out of the milk teeth, it is possible to distract the child with itching toys and tools.

How often should I take my child to the pedodontist?

It is recommended that you take your baby to a pediatric dentist every 6 months and have the baby examined after the baby teeth start to appear. In addition, the pediatric dentists in our clinic may also want to determine a special health examination order for you according to the dental development of your child and the problems that may occur in his/her mouth.

How can I adapt my baby's diet to dental health?

A balanced diet is essential for your baby's general health and well-being, especially for dental health. Fruit, vegetables, bread, milk and dairy products, eggs, fish and meat are among the food that must be included in your baby's diet. Consumption of sugary and starchy food should be reduced to a minimum, thus preventing cavities that may occur on your child's teeth to a large extent.

What should I do if my child falls and loses one of their permanent teeth?

In such situations, the first thing you need to pay attention to is to remain calm. If you can find the missing tooth, place it in a glass of milk, being careful not to catch the tooth by the root, and try to reach the pedodontist as soon as possible.

Are dental X-rays harmful for my child?

With the latest technological developments, X-rays performed today – including dental x-rays – carry a very minimal risk of radiation and harmful rays. Pedodontists prevent your child from being exposed to excessive radiation, especially since they are limiting and being careful in applying the dental x-rays to the children. The modern and rapid photo shooting techniques used in special pediatric dentistry health examinations, is possible to have your baby's dental x-rays taken. However, it is important to know that no pedodontist will request a dental X-ray from your child unless it is absolutely necessary.

If you are looking for a suitable pedodontist for your child, you can contact our clinic located on the European side of Istanbul. It is possible for you to receive the highest quality and most professional dental service for your baby with expert and experienced pediatric dentists.

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