Specialized Pediatric Dentistry: Caring for Your Children's Dental Need

The focus on examining, evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and caring for children's teeth, gums, and maxillofacial development is its own branch of dental medicine called pediatric dentistry. Some aspects of dental care for children are similar to dental care for adults. However, pediatric dentistry also requires some specialized knowledge, training, and, of course, a gentle touch and kid-friendly demeanor. 

What's Different About Caring for Children's Teeth?

The main difference in pediatric dentistry is that children are still growing and developing. While an adult's teeth and bone structure are fairly static, those of an infant, toddler, small child, tween, teen, or young adult are constantly in flux.

As a result, the approach to pediatric dental care must change, grow, and develop along with our young patients. So, in addition to oral health and preventative care, pediatric dentistry focuses on a patient-centered, age-appropriate, individualized approach to care. Plus, pediatric dentistry focuses on development, early detection and treatment of issues, and fostering healthy growth while supporting optimal oral health. 

Pediatric dentistry helps to establish a solid foundation of good oral health that a child can build on for the rest of their life. This solid foundation is built with blocks of education, preventative care, routine evaluation, and interceptive treatments designed to prevent the need for more invasive dental or orthodontic treatment in the future. 

Pediatric Dental Services and Treatments

Early Orthodontic Evaluations

By age seven, children should have an early orthodontic evaluation. This evaluation typically includes an examination and diagnostic images. At this appointment, the dentist evaluates the child's dental, jaw, and maxillofacial development to assess the likelihood that the child will require orthodontic treatment.

In some cases, interceptive orthodontics (such as a space maintainer or childhood braces) can be used to encourage proper growth and development, preventing the need for more complex, invasive, and costly orthodontic treatment in the future. 

Professional Teeth Cleaning

A professional teeth cleaning (prophylaxis) involves the gentle scaling and polishing of the teeth. Our dental hygienists use special, child-sized dental tools to remove accumulated calculus from our young patients' teeth to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 

Dental Examination

Our dentist examines the patient's teeth during every pediatric dental examination. We look for signs of potential oral health issues while also assessing the progress of the patient's growth and development. 

Digital Dental X-Rays

Digital dental x-rays help us see problems that exist below the gum line or inside of the teeth before they start causing symptoms. Additionally, we use digital x-rays to assess growth and development in pediatric dentistry. These can help us see the permanent teeth and molars as they grow below the gum line and begin to erupt beneath the primary teeth. 

Preventative Treatments

In addition to prophylaxis cleaning, professional fluoride applications and dental sealants are recommended. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel to help reverse early tooth decay and prevent the formation of cavities. Dental sealants are applied to the surfaces of permanent molars, making them easier to clean and protecting them from cavity-causing bacteria. 

Restorative Dental Care

While pediatric dentistry primarily focuses on preventative care, restorative treatments are available for children who experience oral health problems as a result of injury or tooth decay. We work closely with parents to determine the best course of treatment for restoring your child's teeth, arresting tooth decay, and ensuring they have a strong foundation of good oral health going forward. 

Patient Education

We work diligently to ensure all of our young patients have positive experiences at our dental office, and each appointment presents an opportunity to provide these patients with age-appropriate education about the importance of dental care and oral hygiene. Plus, we work with each child to help them learn proper brushing and flossing techniques and positive oral hygiene practices. 

When Should a Child First Visit the Dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child have their first dental examination when their first tooth erupts or by the time they celebrate their first birthday — whichever happens to occur first. 

After the initial dental examination, children typically visit the dentist every six months for an examination, professional teeth cleaning, and preventative treatments such as fluoride applications and dental sealants. 

Comprehensive Child Dental Care With Our Jackson Pediatric Dental Services

To learn more about our pediatric services at Family Dental Care or to request an appointment for your child, we welcome you to contact our office in Flowood, MS today.