How a Kids Dentist Protects Your Child’s Oral Health

A kids dentist, formally known as a pediatric dentist, helps set the foundation for kids oral health. While they are a pillar in setting the trajectory of a young patient's relationship with their oral hygiene and dental visits, they primarily focus on preserving the integrity of the teeth and surrounding structures. Through various methods, a kids dentist can help boost your child's overall development.

The impact of pediatric oral health

Before delving into how a kids dentist protects oral health, it is important to learn why. Contrary to popular belief, pediatric oral health is just as vital as that of adults. In fact, pediatric oral health, whether good or bad, may have a larger impact on children.

When speaking of oral health, dentists refer to the structures and tissues that make up the mouth. These include the teeth, gums, palate, tongue, and jawbone. According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, these structures are responsible for performing essential functions such as eating, breathing, and speaking and also encompass psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, socialization, and general well-being.

Oral health preventative services

Services from a kids dentist are primarily split between preventative and corrective treatments. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, or AAPD, children starting as young as 12 months or when their first tooth erupts should begin receiving dental visits every six months. During these visits, which may vary in detail depending on the patient's age, the kids dentist will evaluate the gums and primary teeth, or baby teeth, checking for signs of abnormalities such as decay, infection, or sores.

The best form of care is prevention. That is why kids dentists recommend certain services to protect or strengthen teeth during routine dental visits. Common services include dental sealants and fluoride treatments. The former prevents food debris from becoming trapped in the grooves of the backed teeth, a common place for cavities. The latter helps strengthen the enamel of every tooth, giving it a fighting chance against decay and damage between appointments.

Moreover, biannual dental visits can provide early intervention for poor habits that can seriously affect oral development. These habits can include teeth clenching, thumb-sucking, and poor oral hygiene. They also offer opportunities for parents and patients to learn more about mouth-healthy diets specific to their circumstances. Additionally, as patients age, they will be more involved in various activities, like sports. Therefore, kids dentists can provide support to help prevent trauma, such as custom mouthguards.

Oral health corrective services

Prevention is the goal, but kids dentists understand that kids will be kids. As their diets change and their schedules become busier, their oral health can become less of a priority. Unfortunately, this can result in damage to the teeth due to weakened structures, leading to fractures or the removal of certain layers. That said, common corrective services include dental fillings, dental crowns, and space maintainers.

Dental fillings use porcelain, composite, glass ionomer, or amalgam materials to fill a space in a baby or adult tooth with layers removed. They primarily aim to restore function and protect the tooth's inner layers. Dental crowns can use the same materials but take the shape of a cap, completely engulfing a fractured tooth. This cap offers a natural tooth's look, function, protection, and durability. Lastly, space maintainers help combat the ramifications of losing a baby tooth prematurely, allowing the adult tooth to erupt at its own pace and prevent more extensive issues.