Pediatric Dental clinic in Trivandrum
Taking care of your children’s teeth when they are young is one of the most important steps in ensuring that they grow up with healthy teeth. Tooth decay is very common among children, who are now exposed to a variety of dental diseases. If a child’s oral hygiene is neglected, he or she will be forced to go through painful procedures and treatments. Pediatric dentistry is different from general dentistry, and parents who are concerned about their children’s oral health choose it.
We must always take extra precautions to ensure the oral health of our children because they are so important to us. Dr. Gigy’s dental clinic specializes in pediatric dentistry, and our mission is to provide the best oral care for your children, resulting in long-lasting smiles.
1. Interceptive treatment and preventive orthodontics
Preventive orthodontic treatment and care does more than just give you a great smile; it also helps you maintain a healthy smile and boosts your Childs confidence. Early signs that your child may need this treatment include losing baby teeth early or late, sucking fingers or thumbs, difficulty chewing, and exaggerated mouth breathing.
Even if your child’s teeth appear to be in good shape, dental issues can arise that only a trained professional can accurately diagnose and treat. Interceptive orthodontic treatment identifies problems in your child’s oral development so that preventive treatments can begin as soon as possible. A variety of potential problems that may worsen over time can often be reduced or completely eliminated with early preventive care, including:
Interceptive orthodontics can also help guide your child’s teeth and jaws into the proper positions as they develop, ensuring proper oral function as well as a healthy, well-balanced smile that will boost his or her confidence. Early orthodontic treatment can make future orthodontic treatments shorter and less complicated, and in many cases, produce better results than traditional orthodontic treatment.
2. Habit-breaking appliances
Children are prone to developing unhealthy habits. These habits usually fade away as children grow older; however, if the practice continues after the permanent teeth have erupted, it can drastically alter the jaw’s growth patterns and seriously damage tooth alignment.
Children’s jaws have a very soft bone, so if they develop such habits, the soft jaws may change shape in response to the force applied to it. As a result, it’s critical to break this habit by teaching the child the consequences of continuing to do so. However, some children require the use of a device to break the habit.
Available appliances
We investigate the child’s habits and create a treatment strategy. The following are some of the most basic treatment options for some of the most common oral habits.
Thumb Sucking
If your child’s thumb or finger sucking habit has persisted past the age of five and you haven’t been able to stop it, a fixed palatal crib or a rake-style appliance is a more permanent solution to thumb sucking.
Tongue Thrusting
It’s the tongue’s natural swallowing movement, but some children make it a habit to repeat it, resulting in arch deformity. However, if the pattern does not change, it can cause problems similar to those caused by thumb sucking, such as tooth alignment and skeletal development. A tongue thrusting habit-breaking appliance is used to treat this. This can take the form of a crib, rake, spiky style, or beaded style.
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing, which is not as common as breathing through the nose, can cause a decrease in saliva and make teeth more susceptible to caries. It’s safe to assume that the child’s mind is experiencing some kind of psychological distress. When possible, this should be identified and corrected as soon as possible. An oral screen is a device that is used to treat this condition. The oral screen keeps inhaled air from entering the mouth. It is also possible to close the oral cavity.
Frequently Asked Questions
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be seen for their first dental exam by six months after their first tooth erupts, or at one year of age, whichever comes first.
The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care.
We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your child’s teeth as they develop, and provide you with materials that contain helpful tips you can refer to at home.
The best preparation for your child’s first visit to our clinic is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adults’ apprehensions, and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist, it is likely that your child will anticipate an unpleasant experience and act out accordingly.
We generally recommend scheduling a checkup every six months. Depending on the circumstances of your child’s oral health, we may recommend more frequent visits.
Although they don’t last as long as permanent teeth, your child’s first teeth play an important role in development. While they’re in place, the primary teeth help your little one speak, smile, and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth.
If a child loses a tooth too early (due to damage or decay), nearby teeth may encroach on that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Also, your son or daughter’s general health is affected by the oral health of the teeth and gums.
Even before your infant’s first tooth appears, we recommend you clean his or her gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as the first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You most likely can find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore.
Once your child has a few teeth, you can start using toothpaste on the brush. Use only a tiny amount for each cleaning, and be sure to consult your dentist regarding whether you should use toothpaste with or without fluoride.
Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. When they come into contact with sugary or starchy foods (including milk) left behind on our teeth after eating/drinking, acids are produced. These acids attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, and eventually eat through it and create holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.
Make sure your child brushes his or her teeth twice per day for about 2 minutes. It is also important to floss all teeth that are touching at least once per day. This cleans areas between the teeth that brushing can’t. And remember… many children have spacing in their front teeth, but have back teeth that are touching.
Talk with our dentists to see if a fluoride supplement is recommended, which can help tooth enamel become more resistant to decay. Avoid excessive sugary foods and drinks (including juice), limit snacking, and maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits & vegetables.
Finally, make regular appointments so we can check the health of your child’s teeth and perform professional cleanings.
Sealants cover the pits and fissures (grooves) in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your son or daughter avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach.
Even children’s sports involve contact these days, so we recommend mouthguards for children active in sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.
The large majority of children suck their thumbs or fingers as infants, and most grow out of it by the age of four without causing any permanent damage to their teeth. If your child continues sucking after permanent teeth erupt, or he or she sucks aggressively, let us know and we can check to see if any problems may arise from the habit.