The Pediatric Dentist Practice

By Author: Judy J. Johnson, DDS
Total Articles: 14
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Pediatric Dentists:
Editor-in-Chief, Judy J. Johnson, DDS
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 07:01 PM

Pediatric Dentistry
It's never too early to promote good dental oral health. There are many different things that contribute to teeth and mouth problems later on in life. What a child eats, his mouth and sucking habits as well as genetics are all important contributors to their overall dental health.

Babies who are born with neonatal teeth are the only babies who need to see the dentist. Such a problem will require very early dental hygiene and the teeth may need to be removed by a dentist. Neonatal teeth also refer to teeth that develop in the first month of the child's life.

Early Teeth
Most children begin teething between 6 and 24 months old. By the time the child is 3 years old, most or all of the baby teeth will have erupted. After the child is four years old, the spaces for the permanent teeth will begin to appear in the jaw, supporting the bone structure as facial bones begin to grow.

How early should a child be seen at the dentist?
Children should make their first ...
... visit to the dentist by the age of one year old. This will establish a long-term dental hygiene and professional dental cleaning plan. Dental sealants are used to protect the teeth from decay and are necessary as soon as teeth erupt.
Parents should speak with their dentist regarding fluoride treatment. Fluoride is an important in the prevention of tooth decay and other dental issues. Too much fluoride can be an issue as well. That's why it's important to speak with a dentist regarding fluoride treatments. Proper Dental Hygiene of Baby Teeth.

Towel Wash
It can be very difficult for a parent to keep their baby or toddler's teeth clean. However, so it's easy to collect debris under baby's teeth. Although they are eventually replaced with permanent teeth, baby teeth should not go uncared for. The baby teeth, also referred to as the primary teeth, are a vital part of a child's overall health and development.

Brushing
The baby teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt. They can be cleaned using a soft gauze or washcloth after each meal. After more than one tooth erupts, a child-size toothbrush can be soaked in warm water for use in cleaning the Childs teeth.
Once a child has the correct coordination, he or she should be encouraged to brush their teeth on their own. Toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months. Parents should also remember to brush their Childs teeth after the child has been given medicine. Some medicines can contain acids, which can eat away at tooth enamel, or a mastural protective coating for the teeth. Such medicines must be rinsed away immediately

Flossing
Begin assisting children with dental flossing when two or more teeth erupt next to each other. Once the child has the ability to floss on his or her own, usually by age 6, the child should be able to do this on their own. Parents can have their children start using mouthwash by age 7. Orthodontics is typically implemented by age 7.

General Pediatric Dentistry Information
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty, defined by age. It provides both preventative and therapeutic dental care for infants, children and adolescents. A child will usually see a pediatrician before they are old enough to see a family physician. A pediatric dentist can be considered the pediatrician of dentists.

One of the major goals of pediatric dentistry is to maintain disease-free gums and teeth. Without proper dental care, children may face possible oral decay and disease. This can cause pain and complications later on in life. In fact, a dental infectious disease is five times more common in children than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.

What Does is it Take to Be Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists complete a minimum of four years of dental school with two additional years of residency training in dentistry for infants, children, teens and children with special needs.
Pediatric dentists offer:
-Infant oral health exams;
-Preventative dental care, including risk assessment for caries in mother and child;
-Habit counseling (pacifier use and thumb sucking);
-Early assessment and treatment for straightening teeth and correcting improper bites (orthodontics);
-Repair of tooth cavities and defects;
-Diagnosis of oral conditions associated with diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, hay fever and attention deficit disorder;
-Management of gum diseases and conditions, including ulcers, short frenulae, mucoceles and pediatric periodontal disease;
-Care of dental injuries, like fractured, displaced or knocked out teeth.

Pediatric dentists typically perform their duties in private practices, dental schools and medical centers. The Childs pediatrician can usually help find a pediatric dentist near them.

These dentists understand how to treat a child who may not be interested in sitting still. Their offices are usually decorated to appeal to the children and the children usually feel comfortable and at ease.

Author Bio:-
SmileMD Inc global publishing headquarters is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York. Neville Coward is the Chairman & CEO. http://www.smilemd.com instantly schedules comprehensive appointments for pediatric dentists and doctors nationwide. Patient versions of the medical & dental articles are reviewed for online publication and library referenced by editor-in-chief Judy Johnson DDS. Dr. Johnson is a member of The New York Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.