What Procedures Do Pediatric Dentists Do?

Dental procedures differ between adults and children, although they are relatively similar. You may schedule frequent appointments with Rusholme Family Dentistry with your child because their teeth are still developing. A pediatric dentist best monitors the growth of children’s teeth to ensure everything is proceeding smoothly.

Taking your child to pediatric dentistry in Downtown Toronto, is an excellent idea. The facility has experienced dental professionals providing routine care to children helping them maintain excellent oral health. This article explains some standard procedures that are done in a pediatric dental office. The information allows parents to prepare to take their child to the dentist.

Common Procedures for Children

Hereunder we detail some common procedures for children provided by children’s dentistry near you. Would you please proceed with reading to learn more about them?

Dental Fillings

The most common procedure provided by children’s dental clinics is dental fillings. Children are frequently affected by tooth decay resulting in cavities. In most cases, cavities are best treated with the quick and relatively simple procedure of dental fillings. First, the pediatric dentist numbs the infected tooth to remove decayed parts of the tooth. After drilling the tooth, it is filled with material according to the dentist’s and parent’s choice. Standard materials used for fillings are silver amalgam or porcelain, durable materials helping to seal the tooth.

Dental Cleanings

An essential pediatric dental procedure is getting your child regular dental exams and cleanings. Six monthly or more frequent cleanings are crucial for children. After all, their teeth are prone to cavities because they consume sugary and starchy foods and lack appropriate dental hygiene. Dental cleanings are relatively straightforward and allow the dentist or hygienist to remove plaque buildup on children’s teeth, preventing them from hardening into tartar.

Dental X-Rays

Children require x-rays more often than adults. It is because their mouths are growing and changing rapidly. X-rays help pediatric dentists determine weaknesses in the tooth structure not visible to the naked eye. Children must receive dental x-rays every six months, recommends the CDC, especially if they are at higher risk of tooth decay. Pediatric dentists use digital radiography with one-fourth of radiation than conventional x-rays.

Interceptive Orthodontic Care

Your child’s oral development needs constant attention. Pediatric dentists identify malocclusion or bite difficulties to actively interpose and guide the teeth as they erupt in the mouth. Preventing more expensive treatments later is the aim of pediatric dentists providing interceptive orthodontic care. The children’s dental clinic examines your child’s bite and jaw development during routine dental exams. The earlier assessment of your child’s teeth prevents extensive and expensive orthodontic treatments later.

Fluoride Treatments

Cavities begin making their presence felt when the tooth enamel weakens because of demineralization. Although municipal water supplies are fluoridated to a standard level, low levels of fluoride are typical in some water bodies. Therefore, pediatric dentists monitor your child’s teeth to prescribe the specific amount of fluoride they need remaining cautious to ensure they provide appropriate levels without exceeding or reducing the quantity required by the child.

Dental Sealants

Thin and durable plastic coatings called dental sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars erupting at six and 13. The molars have pits and fissures, a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque. As a result, children are prone to cavities, and applying dental sealants to the molars helps prevent tooth decay from occurring. Sealants remain on the teeth for up to 9 years providing protection against 80 percent of cavities during the initial two years and 50 percent of holes for another four years. Pediatric dentists check the sealants during routine visits and recommend that children don’t have crunchy foods or chew on ice to prolong the life of the sealants.

Space Maintainers

When children have their teeth extracted or lose them for any reason, the gap in their mouth encourages the remaining teeth to shift towards it. In such cases, pediatric dentists ensure your child has sufficient room in their mouth by providing them with space maintainers to prevent the shifting of the other teeth and creating a bad bite. Removal of the space maintainer happens when the child’s permanent tooth emerges to replace the missing tooth.

As can be seen, pediatric dentist perform various procedures to help your child develop strong teeth and educate them on maintaining excellent oral hygiene to have a beautiful smile throughout their lives.