Paediatric odontology
Paediatric odontology is the branch of odontology treating children. At a very young age it is essential to establish good oral hygiene and healthy eating which will lead to a definite guarantee of dental health in the future.
Children’s dental health requires special attention, from the point of view of preventing future problems as possible changes to their milk teeth, when not treated early, can have a negative effect on the permanent teeth later. Having healthy teeth enables our children to chew correctly and also to pronounce certain words which need the correct use of the teeth, lips and tongue.
The dentist should check children’s teeth at least once a year from the age of three (by which time children will have all their milk teeth).
In paediatric odontology there are different types of treatment available according to individual requirements. There are two basic categories: preventative and restorative.
Preventative treatments are those which are carried out on healthy teeth with the aim of keeping them that way. Their advantages being that they are not too invasive or painful. The most common preventative treatments are:
- Dental cleaning.
- Fluoride application.
- Cavity and fissure sealant.
Restorative treatments recreate the function and shape of the decayed tooth, caused by a trauma or even a malformation and they are:
- Obturation of composite or compound resin
- Pulpotomy.
- Pulpectomy.
- Space maintainers.
Frequently asked questions
When should the first visit to the dentist take place?
A short time ago it was recommended that the first visit should be once the complete set of milk teeth had come through - at about 3 years old - but the increase of decay in infants has obliged us to see children earlier than this. Now it is quite common to see children after their first birthday, which gives us the chance to educate and instruct parents and children in the essential care they should take with their teeth.
When does the first milk tooth come through?
In the majority of babies the teeth begin to come through between 4 and 7 months and they usually fall out in that same order. Children have a total of 20 milk teeth and it is usual to have the complete set by the time they are 3.
When do they begin to fall out?
Normally from 6 years old the milk teeth begin to fall out and be replaced by permanent ones. However, this may vary: some children begin to lose them at 4 and others don’t begin this replacement stage until 7.
When the teeth begin to wobble, should you help them by wiggling them so that they come out quickly?
No, you should let them come out naturally try not to pull them out before they are ready, this should only be done by specialists in certain situations.
What type of toothpaste should they use?
It should be a fluoride one, but it is important to control the quantity used. Up to two years old only the minimum quantity should be applied (only a smear on the brush) and then up to the age of 6 a small amount (like a worm). From this age the enamel is fully formed and an adult amount can be used, but it is recommended to continue using a fluoride toothpaste as this protects against decay.
How many times a day should children clean their teeth?
The ideal is to brush their teeth after each main meal. When this is not possible, children should clean their teeth at least twice a day: just before going to bed and after breakfast.
Should you let them clean their teeth by themselves or should you help them?
Parents should clean them until the children are capable of doing it themselves. And, even when they are doing it independently, the process should be supervised. The ideal situation is that they begin by doing it themselves so that they get used to it and that the parents finish the job with a final brushing.