Pediatric Dentistry deals specifically with the oral care of children. It is very important for a dental surgeon to have training in child psychology, growth and development before treating any child. Primary teeth or milk teeth start appearing in mouth usually between 6-7 months. However, permanent teeth eruption process starts between 6-8 years and all permanent teeth erupt by 12-13 years. Primary teeth are very important as they act as space maintainers for permanent teeth Bottle feeding should be avoided after 18 months age as this will prevent ‘Baby-Bottle” tooth decay or rampant decay.
By the time children are 3 years old, they usually have a full set of 20 primary teeth, however there are 28-32 permanent teeth. Primary teeth shed off one by one between the age of 6-12 years and eruption process for permanent teeth takes place during this age ( 6-12 years) period.
Preventive Dentistry
This is perhaps the most important role that dentist can play by preventing children teeth from deteriorating. Child should be thoroughly and patiently examined to detect any potential problem areas. Counselling and if necessary, certain steps / procedures should be taken like:
1. Advise/Prevent
Preventing bottle-feeding in a child after a certain age, as this habit can lead to pre-mature decay of primary / milk teeth. This is because sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth giving plaque bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack tooth enamel.
2. Sealants
These are resin materials filled in little ridges on the chewing part of the child’s teeth to protect and seal the teeth from food and plaque. Children with newly erupted back teeth benefit the most from sealants as these teeth are at highest risk of developing “Pit and Fissure” caries. Some of the sealants release fluoride as well.
3. Fluoride
This is an element which helps teeth to resist cavities. However, too little or excessive fluoride can be harmful to teeth. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth, to help them resist caries. Excessive fluoride may contribute to dental-fluorosis, which is a chalky-white or even brown discolouration of permanent teeth.
4. Calcium
Calcium is very essential for children especially during eruption stage of teeth. It is very important for the growth of strong bones and teeth. Children should meet their calcium needs by eating dairy foods and having well-balanced diet such as milk, cheese, milk-based custards and leafy-green vegetables.