Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry that deals with the oral health of children from birth to adolescence. It includes preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of dental and oral conditions specific to children, as well as parent education on proper oral hygiene.
Why is dental care important for children?
Good oral health begins in childhood. Baby teeth play a vital role in developing a healthy jaw and bite, as well as maintaining space for permanent teeth. Preventing dental problems at an early age helps avoid long-term complications and fosters a positive attitude toward oral hygiene.
The growth of baby (temporary) teeth
Baby teeth begin to develop during the embryonic stage and become visible in the mouth after birth, when the child is an infant. They change and are replaced by permanent teeth, but if permanent teeth are not present, they may remain functional for many years (very rare).
The primary dentition consist of 20 teeth:
- 8 incisors
- 4 canines
- 8 molars
These teeth begin to form as early as the 6th week of pregnancy. The process begins with the front teeth (incisors) and then the side teeth (molars).
The teeth continue to develop until they erupt in the oral cavity. At this point, they have the same structure as permanent teeth: they consist of a crown and a full root, and have a nerve (dental pulp).
Baby teeth play an important role in your child’s overall oral health. They help chew food properly, ensure proper jaw muscle development, and promote clear speech. Untreated dental problems can cause pain, infection, and affect your child’s overall oral health.
Baby teeth serve as a guide for the proper eruption of permanent teeth. If a baby tooth falls out prematurely due to untreated decay or other conditions, neighboring teeth can shift to fill the empty space, which can lead to problems with the alignment of permanent teeth, requiring orthodontic treatment.
Untreated decay in baby teeth can develop into severe infections, such as a dental abscess, which can affect not only the tooth itself, but also the developing permanent teeth. Severe infections can cause severe pain, fever, and may require complicated treatment such as extraction or surgery.
Prompt treatment of baby teeth is critical to ensure the healthy development of permanent teeth, prevent further pain and complications, and instill long-term oral hygiene habits. Regular visits to the dentist and timely treatment of dental problems help maintain your child’s oral and overall health, laying a solid foundation for a healthy life.
When do temporary teeth erupt?
Maxilla
1 – Central incisors (8-12 months)
2 – Lateral incisors (9-13 months)
3 – Canines (16-22 months)
4 – First molars (13-19 months)
5 – Second molars (25-33 months)
Mandible
1 – Central incisors (6-10 months)
2 – Lateral incisors (10-16 months)
3 – Canines (17-23 months)
4 – First molars (14-18 months)
5 – Second molars (23-31 months)
Mixed dentition (6-12 years of age) is the period when the milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth.
In most cases, baby teeth erupt on their own. It is not recommended to remove them before they erupt, as premature loss of temporary teeth will lead to improper eruption of permanent teeth. It is important that they stay in place until they become mobile to maintain space on the dental arch. When they begin to move, there may be a little bleeding during brushing, but it is recommended that you practice good oral hygiene, including in the area around loose baby teeth, to avoid gum inflammation.
There are 32 teeth in the permanent dentition.
Not counting wisdom molars, whose tooth buds may or may not be present, and which may erupt any time after age 18, even at older ages, permanent teeth erupt during the following periods.
Maxilla:
• Central incisors – 7-8 years
• Lateral incisors – 8-9 years
• Canines – 11-12 years
• First premolars – 10-11 years
• Second premolars – 10-12 years
• First molars – 6-7 years
• Second molars – 12-13 years
Mandible:
• Central incisors – 6-7 years
• Lateral incisors – 7-8 years
• Canines – 9-10 years
• First premolars – 10-12 years
• Second premolars – 11-12 years
• First molars – 6-7 years
• Second molars – 11-13 years
What is fissure sealing?
Fissure sealing is a method of preventing tooth decay. It is usually indicated for permanent teeth that are not affected by decay.
It consists of applying a very thin layer of liquid composite (dental sealant) to the chewing surface of the teeth in the grooves and fissures, as well as to the lingual and buccal surfaces.
The sealant remains as a thin tooth-colored film and acts as a barrier against pathogenic microorganisms that cause dental caries (plaque).
It is a minimally invasive method of prevention, as the tooth does not need to be prepared before it is applied, unlike treating a cavity that has already formed.
In most cases, sealing is indicated when a permanent tooth erupts to children aged 6 and 12 years.
Sealing is best done before signs of decay appear, ideally within the first year after eruption.
The sealant applied in the grooves transforms a very steep tooth surface into a smoother, shinier, self-cleaning, and more accessible to the toothbrush surface, with no place for food debris to hide.
The liquid composition used as a sealant contains fluoride-based antibacterial substances that are continuously released over time, providing even greater protection and further reducing the risk of tooth decay.
