Child Dentistry
We know that taking your kids for a dental check-up has never been easy! Our child friendly environment equipped with toys will encourage your child to look forward for his/her next appointment. The latest American guidelines for pediatric dentists in chennai recommends that parents should bring their child to the dentist as soon as the first teeth appear – usually around 6 months or at least before their 1st birthday.
What does a Pediatric dentist do?
Pediatric dentists complete a program that emphasizes treating children who simply need gentler care and treating children and adolescents with special needs and disabilities. The program involves two to three years of further training after dental school. The program includes working in hospitals and working with children who need more severe dental treatment and emergencies. Pediatric dentists also learn orthodontic teeth-straightening methods. Pediatric dentists work closely with pediatricians and general dentists. Pediatricians and general dentists will refer select patients to pediatric dentists. Some Pediatric dentists teach in dental schools and work in hospital training facilities to conduct research to develop better methods of preventing oral health problems in children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) lists several resources to learn more about their role.
What benefits do Pediatric dentists offer to children?
Like all dentists, Pediatric dentists focus on oral health and the prevention and treatment of diseases and tooth decay. They also educate parents and other dental professionals on how best to treat children. Also, Pediatric dentists are experts at explaining procedures to children and building trust with their young patients.
The AAPD lists many methods that Pediatric dentists use to communicate with young patients, including:
- Positive reinforcement – Praise patients for good behavior, including sitting still and following directions.
- Tell-show-do – A method in which the dentist explains the treatment in words the child will understand, showing them the treatment in a simplified manner, and then starting the procedure.
- Tone – Pediatric dentists may use a friendlier or soothing tone for the patients to build trust and demystify an appointment.
Guidelines for Preventing Tooth Decay
As early as possible get your child to cultivate the following habits:
- Brush their teeth twice daily – morning and evening
- Don’t allow them to sleep with the milk bottle
- Make sure that the toothpaste has an optimum amount of fluoride
- Reduce consumption of sugars and sugary foods
- Encourage eating of fruits, vegetables, non sweetened yogurt (curd) etc
- Encourage foods rich in calcium such as milk, cheese, fresh green vegetables
Prevention Tips
- Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
- Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.
- Watch what your child drinks.
- Avoid giving your child sticky foods
- Make treats part of meals.
- Choose nutritious snacks