Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry, also called pedodontics or pediatric dentistry, is a department that aims to protect the permanent and deciduous teeth of children between the ages of 0 and 13 in a healthy way, to eliminate and improve the problems caused by trauma, caries and hereditary and similar factors in the teeth of children in this age group.
The Pedodontics dentistry branch, which includes preventive measures, follows the oral and dental health, jaw and facial development of children, applies treatment when necessary and continues this from infancy.
Pedodontists carefully carry out the treatments and all kinds of preventive procedures and protective applications necessary for the oral and dental health of babies, children and young people during these periods.
What are the Application Areas of Pediatric Dentistry?
If we list some of the treatments applied in the field of pediatric dentistry, it is as follows;
Oral and dental care,
Nutrition recommendations,
Special prostheses for children,
Tooth extraction procedures,
Preventive and preventive applications for dental caries,
Applications for the treatment of dental trauma,
Endodontic treatments, i.e. root canal treatments and amputations,
Treatments to overcome bad oral habits (finger sucking, nail biting, lip biting, etc.),
Restorative treatment of deciduous and young permanent teeth, i.e. fillings and space maintainers.
Most families take their children to the family dentist or a regular dentist. Some families take their children who are considered extra and need special treatment to pediatric dentists.
How does a pediatric dentist work?
Pediatric Dentists, also known as Pediatric Dentists, are physicians with their own unique qualifications.
Because young children need a more specialized approach, they can treat their young patients with special needs and disabilities more accurately by providing them with more gentle treatment and education.
Pediatric dentists have duties that require more care than other dentists.
Pediatric dentists graduate from a training program that emphasizes the treatment of children in need of gentle treatment, children and young people with special needs and disabilities.
This 2 to 3 year program, which takes place between 2 and 3 years after graduating from dental school, involves working in hospitals, with children who need more severe dental treatment than usual, and in times of emergency.
Pediatric dentists, who also learn orthodontic teeth straightening methods, work in liaison with pediatric specialists and general dentists. Pediatric dentists, pediatric specialists and general dentists refer selected patients to pediatric dentists.
Some, but not all, pediatric dentists work in teaching facilities in hospitals to conduct research and ongoing research to develop new and better solutions and methods to prevent oral health problems in areas of concern to children. Some of them also teach students at dental schools.
What are the Characteristics of a Pediatric Dentist?
As with general dentists and dental clinics, pediatric dentists focus primarily on the oral and dental health of their patients, the prevention and treatment of possible diseases and tooth decay.
They educate their families and other dental professionals on how best to treat children, as protecting their dental health will prevent potential problems in their later years.
One of the most important characteristics of pediatric dentists is that they build trust with their pediatric and adolescent patients and are experts in explaining the necessary procedures to those between these age groups.
One of the institutions conducting research in this direction shared some of the methods that pediatric dentists use to communicate with their children and young patients, and some of them are as follows; positive support, that is, encouraging patients to follow instructions and behave well by standing in place.
Tell, show and do involves the pediatric dentist explaining the treatment to the child in a language they understand, showing them how to perform it in a simple way they understand, and finally starting the procedure.
Finally, the tone method involves the pediatric dentist approaching the child in a more friendly manner and communicating in a soothing tone to build trust and take the mystery out of the appointment.
Which Age Groups Does a Pediatric Dentist Care for?
Pediatric dentists, who, like pediatric specialists, can treat children and young people from birth to university age, are the only experts when a young patient needs hospital treatment for a health problem.
Pediatric dentists, who, like pediatric specialists, can treat children and teenagers from birth to university age, may be considered the only specialists in a situation where a young patient needs hospital treatment for a health problem.
Pediatric dentists can also take care of patients who are over the age of 18 and have special needs because they know the patient’s special practices, requirements for the procedure and treatment, and treatment history.
Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
As for why pediatric dentists are preferred over general dentists, all general dentists are trained by pediatric specialists in their faculties.
Sometimes, in some cases, general dentists may feel more comfortable than other dentists in treating young children, caring for them and addressing their dental needs, which are common in childhood.
Sometimes, however, a general dentist may not feel comfortable treating young children or treating a child with special needs. In these cases, it is normal to refer the patient to a pediatric dentist.
Pediatric dentists, who perform the same procedures as general dentists, can deal with many difficult behavioral problems thanks to their special training.
Children behave differently than adults when they need to go to the dentist.
The child may feel nervous in an unfamiliar environment, and the fact that the interlocutor is a doctor is a situation that increases the tension even more for some children.
Although this problem is easily solved in short-term procedures, in patients requiring intensive treatment, this can become a big problem for both the patient and the doctor.
In the case of a pediatric patient or a child or young patient with a disability requiring intensive and lengthy treatment as mentioned above, pediatric dentists often apply general anesthesia or sedation before starting the procedure.
What to Consider When Choosing a Pediatric Dentist?
It cannot be ignored that patients experience a difficult process in finding the right dentist, whether adult or child.
When this situation is reduced to children, finding the right dentist, especially for children and young people with special needs and disabilities, is extra difficult and requires extra care.
When you need to find the right pediatric dentist, it is better to first consult your child’s pediatrician and get the necessary advice. You will also get a certain idea with the research you will do on the internet.
When choosing your pediatric dentist, you should pay attention to the fact that they have been trained in pediatric dentistry.
You can start the necessary treatments and controls with the dentist who has the best communication with your child among several dentists and ensure that your child has healthy teeth, smiles and a healthy oral structure for a lifetime. He can also guarantee you positive dental visits.
As in all other health fields, the price issue can only be clarified according to the direction and method of the treatments.
Which Doctor to Go to for Pediatric Dentistry?
Children go to the dentist for pediatric dentistry in the same way as adults. Pediatric dentistry is a medical field that aims to protect children’s dental health and develop their teeth properly. These procedures range from teaching children to brush their teeth to screening their teeth and treating tooth decay.
Pediatric dentists are also responsible for checking children’s oral health and providing them with oral health information when necessary. These procedures are usually carried out by a dentist or an experienced dental health technician.
Advice After Pediatric Dentistry Procedure
It is recommended to pay attention to the following points after pediatric dentistry procedures:
Take care to use painkillers after the procedure. It is important to use it in the dose and duration recommended by the doctor.
Make sure to keep the wounds clean after the procedure. The wounds should be constantly wiped and cared for with a clean cloth.
Be careful about oral hygiene after the procedure. Brushing, flossing and the use of oral antiseptics are recommended for oral hygiene.
After the procedure, the dietary rules recommended by the doctor should be followed. Especially the consumption of hard foods should be avoided.
What are Pediatric Dentistry Procedures?
Pediatric dentistry is a field that helps you keep children’s teeth healthy. Pediatric dentistry involves procedures that clean children’s teeth and, if necessary, treat problems that may occur with their teeth. These procedures include the following:
Tingling
Tooth extraction
Interventions to ensure proper growth of teeth
Procedures that clean between the teeth
Teeth whitening
Treatment of gum problems
These are just some examples. There may be other procedures performed in the field of pediatric dentistry. If you think that a child has a problem with their dental health, please consult a pediatric dentist. Only a professional can determine whether such procedures should be performed and what kind of treatment plan should be followed.
Children’s teeth are of great importance for their health. In addition, oral and dental health problems experienced during childhood can lead to more serious health problems in the future if not properly intervened in this period.
When children’s teeth are not corrected at the required time or when the necessary treatment is not applied, deformities, deficiencies, pain or similar disorders may occur in their teeth in the future, and diseases such as more serious dental or bone disorders may occur in the future. For this reason, if there is a problem in your child’s oral and dental health, you should take him/her to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible and ensure that the necessary treatments are applied after the necessary examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pediatric dentistry should start as soon as the child's first tooth appears. Usually this happens when children are 6-12 months old. Visiting the dentist at this early stage ensures that preventive measures are taken to protect the child's dental health and allows early diagnosis of possible dental problems. In addition, children become accustomed to the dentist's chair and fear of the dentist is prevented at an older age.
There are several important measures that should be taken to prevent tooth decay in children. These include regular tooth brushing, using toothpaste containing fluoride, promoting healthy eating habits and limiting the consumption of sugary foods. In addition, regular dental check-ups are important for early detection and treatment of cavities. Informing children about the importance of oral and dental care at an early age is also an effective method in preventing cavities.
When children's dental visits are managed with the right approach, it can help them develop a positive attitude towards the dentist. Because pediatric dentists have special training in communicating with children, they know techniques to calm children's fears. Regular visits to the dentist, starting at an early age, contribute to preventing fear of the dentist in children and pave the way for maintaining healthy dental care habits later in life. This also helps the child to develop a positive attitude towards health care in general olur.
