Children’s Dentistry – We understand that all children are small adults, and all procedures need to be explained simply and in their language. With this in mind, their journey from the waiting room through to the surgery is soft and caring.

We work carefully with a general dentist and an orthodontist ensuring your child’s dental needs are addressed at all stages of their development.

Oral Habits & Habit Breaking

Commonly found habits in children: 

• thumb sucking
• finger biting
• nail biting
• lip biting
• mouth breathing
• tongue thrusting etc.,

Effects of these habits:

If continued for a long time it can lead to:

• gum disease
• change in position of teeth
• change in shape of the jaws

Getting rid of it:

Habit breaking appliances with either fixed or removable in nature

Correcting these habits at an early age or as soon as it is noticed helps prevent oro- facial changes in the child.

Pits & Fissures 

It is the most common dental problem found in children. Chewing teeth have grooves on the surface like mountain and valleys. These grooves are the hiding and dwelling places for oral bacteria’s causing decay since bristles of a brush do not reach to clean that area.

Hence these areas start developing pits and fissures gradually leading to caries.

To prevent this “dental sealants” are applied on the surface of the tooth which covers the grooves and protects it from acid attacks and plaque.

Ideal age to put a sealant is 6 years

Indications for Use:

• Patients who have Xerostomia (decreased salivation),
• Patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment,
• Patients who show evidence of incipient caries
• patients who are prone to caries should be evaluated as candidates for sealant placement.
• Primary molars also can benefit from the placement of sealants.

Fluoride treatment

What is fluoride?

The fluoride ion comes from the element fluorine. Fluoride, either applied topically to erupted teeth, or ingested orally (called systemic fluoride) during tooth development, helps to prevent tooth decay, strengthen tooth enamel, and reduce the harmful effects of plaque. Fluoride also makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralisation, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is even visible.

Where is fluoride found?

Topical Fluoride is found in products containing strong concentrations of fluoride (i.e., toothpastes, mouth rinses), fluoridated varnishes and/or gels either topically applied by a dentist or other oral health professional, or prescribed as an at-home regimen (particularly for persons with a high risk of dental caries).

Systemic Fluoride can be ingested through public and private water supplies, soft drinks, teas, as dietary supplements, some bottled water supplies. Once ingested, systemic fluoride is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract and distributed and deposited throughout the body via the blood supply.

What health risks are associated with fluoride uses?

In general, fluoride consumption is safe. Health risks associated with Fluoridation usually are limited to misuse and over concentration. To avoid misuse and over concentration: Avoid drinking overly fluoridated water – results of this may cause teeth to become discoloured, and may cause the enamel of the teeth to look spotted, pitted, or stained (a condition known as dental fluorosis). Avoid swallowing toothpaste and other dental hygiene products.
Call the local water department and/or the health department to evaluate the fluoride level in your local drinking reservoir. Children are especially vulnerable to dental fluorosis as their developing teeth are more sensitive to higher fluoride levels. Children’s Dentistry –  Consult a pediatric dentist or other oral health care professional if you notice changes in the condition of your child’s teeth.

Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are appliances made to custom fit your child’s mouth to maintain the space intended for the permanent tooth when it decides to come in. They do this by “holding open” the empty space left by a lost tooth by preventing movement in the remaining teeth until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the child’s mouth. This treatment is much more affordable and much easier on your child than to move them back later with orthodontic procedures. Think of space maintainers as insurance against braces.

Why are they important to children’s dental care?

Well, baby teeth usually stay in place until “pushed out” by a permanent tooth that takes its place. Unfortunately, some children lose baby teeth too early. A tooth may be knocked out accidentally or be removed due to severe disease. When this occurs, a space maintainer may be required to prevent future dental problems. Space maintainers encourage normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, and save space for the permanent teeth and help guide them into position.

How can losing a baby tooth too early cause problems for permanent teeth? 

Well, teeth are strange in that regard. Teeth attempt to “fill” any space available to them. If your child loses a baby tooth to early, the remaining baby teeth may tilt, drift, or move up or down to fill the gap Children’s Dentistry . When this happens, they fill the space intended for the permanent tooth, and the permanent tooth can come in crowded or crooked. And this condition, if left untreated, may require extensive (and expensive) orthodontic treatment (braces or even surgery).

Space maintainers require any special care? 

Yes, they do, and you as a parent can help. Make sure your child avoids Hard/Sticky foods (suckers, caramels, gum, popcorn, etc.). Teeth should be brushed after each meal and clean the teeth with bands especially well. Once a day, a fluoride mouthwash should be used to help prevent decalcification of the teeth around the band and wire. Do not try to bend the wire for any reason with finger or tongue. Notify our office immediately if the bands come loose or the space maintainer is damaged in any way. If a tooth erupts under the wire this also needs to be checked.