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What is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pedodontics, also known as pediatric dentistry, focuses on the oral and dental health of children from birth through adolescence. This field specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of dental health issues that occur during these developmental stages. While these services are available in cities throughout the country, you can find more professional pediatric dentists in the city of Izmir.
Why Is Pediatric Dentistry Important?
A pediatric dentist is the person to be visited as soon as a child's milk teeth start to emerge. Milk teeth are the precursors of permanent teeth. Paying attention to a child's oral and dental health from the moment milk teeth begin to emerge has consequences that can even affect adulthood.
What Age Range Does the Pediatric Dentist Target?
A pediatric dentist manages the ongoing process from birth to adolescence. With this information, the age for visiting a pediatric dentist varies from 0 to 14. In the mentioned 14 to 15-year period, various stages occur, including the toothless stage in infancy, the emergence and completion of deciduous teeth, and the beginning and completion of permanent teeth. Due to the many factors that need attention during all these stages, the field of pediatric dentistry is of great importance.
How Does the Teething Process Occur in Babies?
Pediatric dentistry becomes relevant starting from the age of 6 months when a baby begins teething. The teething process can last from 6 months to 10 months, so there's no need to panic if teeth don't appear at 6 months. By the time children reach the age of 3, they typically have around 20 milk teeth. The eruption of permanent teeth usually begins when a child turns 6 years old and continues until around the age of 12.
The teething process can be challenging for both babies and their families. Increased saliva production, decreased appetite, irritability due to pain, irregular sleep patterns, and, most importantly, an increase in the baby's biting instinct can be observed during the teething phase. Massaging the gums can help relieve discomfort and encourage chewing habits. Chilled toys or foods, such as bananas, can also be offered for chewing to provide soothing relief. If these measures are not sufficient, it's advisable to consult with a pediatric dentist who may recommend teething gels or prescribe a suitable pain reliever.
Is There a Pediatric Dentist in Izmir?
There are pediatric dentists in Izmir, just as in most cities across our country. Professional dentists provide treatments in sterile environments with state-of-the-art equipment.
Why Do Children Develop Tooth Decay?
Studies in the field of pediatric dentistry show that children's dental and oral care routines should be carried out with care, just like with adults. Most of the cavities that occur during infancy develop for similar reasons. These reasons include:
What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Baby bottle tooth decay, also known as early childhood caries or nursing bottle caries, is a condition that affects infants and toddlers. It occurs when sugary liquids like milk, formula, and fruit juice are frequently exposed to a child's teeth for extended periods, typically through bedtime bottle-feeding or allowing the child to fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth. The sugars from these liquids combine with bacteria in the mouth to form acids that can damage the teeth's enamel, leading to tooth decay.
To prevent baby bottle tooth decay, it's essential to avoid nighttime bottle-feeding, clean your child's mouth after feeding, and limit sugary foods and drinks in their diet.
What Are the Methods to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children?
Pediatric dentistry offers several methods to protect children's oral and dental health. Regular dental visits, typically every six months, play a crucial role in early detection and treatment of any dental or oral health issues in children. This not only ensures prompt treatment but also helps children become more comfortable with dental visits, reducing their fear and anxiety about seeing a dentist in later years.
Two common preventive methods in pediatric dentistry are fluoride applications and dental sealants:
Fluoride Applications: Fluoride treatments are preventive measures rather than curative ones. They are suitable for both healthy children and those with a higher risk of tooth decay, sensitive teeth, or pre-existing dental issues. Fluoride, when applied by a pediatric dentist in specific amounts and intervals, helps protect teeth against decay.
Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. These sealants help prevent food particles and bacteria from accumulating in the grooves and fissures of teeth, reducing the risk of tooth decay. Sealants have been found to be highly effective, with success rates exceeding 80% in preventing cavities.
Pediatric dentists in Izmir and other cities can provide these preventive measures and manage all aspects of children's oral and dental health. Regular visits to a pediatric dentist, along with proper oral hygiene practices at home, can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay in children.
