Who is a pediatric dentist?
Dental caries, or cavities, are one of the most common chronic conditions in children. Experts estimate that nearly 50% of children develop cavities in their primary teeth. However, cavities in children are avoidable, and a specific category of dental professionals can assist.
Pediatric dentists, also called pedodontists, diagnose and treat dental problems in newborns, children, and adolescents. They cater to the specific dental concerns that can arise in the gums, teeth, and jaw as the children's bodies grow.
Children develop their primary teeth during the first six months of life. Baby teeth start falling out at the age of six or seven and are replaced by adult or secondary teeth. While baby teeth do not last into adulthood, it is critical to begin caring for them at a young age. Lack of dental care might result in prolonged decay and diseases that could last a lifetime.
Pediatric dentists complete four years of dental school following their undergraduate studies. They are also required to complete a minimum of two years of dental training for children from infancy to late adolescence.
Taking your kid to see a pediatric dentist by the time they are one ensures they receive the necessary screening and treatment to avoid future dental problems.
What does a pediatric dentist do?
Children, unlike adults, cannot always be cooperative and patient during a dental exam. Pediatric dentists understand how to diagnose and treat children safely and comfortably. Furthermore, pediatric dentists use specially designed equipment in organized and equipped facilities to meet children's needs. During your child's pediatric dental exam, the dentist may conduct any of the following procedures:
- Comprehensive dental checkups include providing the parents or guardians with crucial information about keeping the child's teeth healthy and strong. A comprehensive exam includes dental cleaning, fluoride treatments, nutrition advice, and habit counseling.
- They may recommend sealants to provide additional protection for your child's teeth.
- If the child has cavities (tooth decay), the pediatric dentist will suggest a treatment plan that includes fillings, crowns, extractions, and space maintainers as needed.
- The dentist will use exams and X-rays to evaluate whether orthodontic operations are necessary.
- Managing dental emergencies such as broken, lost, or damaged teeth.
- Early detection of oral health issues that may result from asthma, hay fever, and ADHD.
What should you expect when taking your child to a pediatric dentist?
One of the goals of your child's first pediatric dental visit is to make them feel at ease with the dentist. You should schedule the first dental appointment for your child at 12 months of age or within six months after the first tooth development.
Give your child's comprehensive health history to the dentist on the first visit. Tell the dentist if your child is stubborn, uncooperative, anxious, or frightened in other settings before scheduling a restoration appointment, such as having a cavity repaired.
The first visit usually lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, there may be a comprehensive exam of the teeth, bite, jaws, gums, and oral tissues to monitor growth and development. If necessary, your child may also receive a light cleaning. The procedure includes polishing the teeth and removing plaque, tartar, and discoloration. The pediatric dentist may demonstrate effective home cleaning techniques, including flossing, and educate you on the importance of fluoride.
Since baby teeth fall out, dentists rarely perform dental X-rays. Your child's dentist, however, can suggest X-rays to diagnose decay, depending on the child's age. X-rays are also used to determine whether the root of a jammed baby tooth is harming an adult tooth. In general, children should not get dental X-rays unless absolutely necessary.
It would be best if you took your child to a pediatric dentist every six months. Some dentists may arrange appointments more frequently, such as every three months. This might help the child feel more comfortable and confident. More regular visits can also help to monitor a development issue.
How can parents and caregivers maintain their child's oral health at home?
Without the necessary dental care given during childhood, a child may face early tooth decay ​and gum disease. A child's poor oral health can impact their overall learning abilities and performance at school. If left untreated for long periods of time, decayed teeth can lead to infection and acute pain. This may have a strong impact on children and families. It may lead to difficulties in eating or chewing and embarrassment from discolored and damaged teeth. Oral disease may also lead to early tooth loss, which can result in impaired speech development and reduce a child's self-esteem. It may also cause a child's appetite to decrease, which can result in nutritional deficiencies, thereby negatively impacting a child's performance in school, behavior and cognitive development, and ability to perform complex tasks.
Consistent dental care and visiting a pediatric dentist near you for routine checkups can help maintain your child's oral hygiene and prevent oral diseases. Here are ways parents or caregivers can improve their child's dental hygiene at home-
- For infants or babies, parents can wipe their gums with a soft cleaning cloth twice a day after feeding and just before going to bed to wipe away sugars and bacteria that can cause cavities.
- If your baby is teething, you may try gently rubbing the gums using your clean finger or giving them a clean and cold object like a teething ring to chew on.
- Thumbsucking and using a pacifier is normal unless they go on for an extended period of time. If your child is past the age of three and is still sucking on thumbs or fingers, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance to stop this habit, as it could affect the child's permanent teeth as they grow.
- Avoid sugary drinks or honey for babies before the age of one. Stick to breastmilk or formula. For toddlers and older kids, make sure they eat a good balanced diet that includes one serving of bread or cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk or other dairy products, and meat or eggs. Limit servings of sugary foods to protect your children's teeth from decay.
- For children aged three and older, parents can start incorporating a tiny amount or pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and assist them in brushing their teeth twice a day.
- To encourage your children to develop oral hygiene habits from a young age, try engaging them by making brushing their teeth and flossing fun for your kids. Allow them to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste color, flavor, and style, and reward them with things that motivate them, like participating in their favorite activities or playtime. You may also play music they like to engage them and help them look forward to brushing their teeth.
- Talk with your pediatric dentist about putting a coat of fluoride (varnish) on your child's first tooth after it appears.
- If your child wants to start a sport or is training to be an athlete, ensure they wear a soft plastic mouth guard that will protect their teeth, lips, and cheeks from injuries. You may also ask your pediatric dentist to design a custom-fitted mouthguard that will protect your child from serious head injuries.
Finding the best pediatric dentist near you in Los Angeles, CA
It is essential to look for qualified pediatric dentists for the specific treatment children need. You can easily do that with Zocdoc.
Sign up on Zocdoc and enter your location, symptoms, specialty, and gender in the search query. Once done, our comprehensive healthcare directory will access profiles of top-rated and experienced pediatric dentists in Los Angeles.
Zocdoc offers a unique filter option to look for providers who accept your insurance plan. To utilize this filter, you must include your insurance carrier's name in the search query while filtering dentist profiles. If you have multiple insurance plans, you may add all of them (medical, dental, and vision) to your Zocdoc account. In the last step of the booking process, mention your secondary carrier and plan in your notes for the provider. If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you may add your secondary insurance plan while filling out your forms online. Note that while you can add your insurance plans to your account, you can search for and book an appointment with only one insurance plan at a time. For more insurance-related information, be sure to check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
Each profile displays the dentist's educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and spoken languages. It also informs you about previous patient ratings and reviews. You may filter hundreds of dentist profiles based on your child's unique oral case requirement and preference.
Once you select the best pediatric dentist near you to help you with your case, you must click on the 'book appointment option, and Zocdoc shall assist you in instantly booking an in-person or virtual appointment for your first session.
All bookings with Zocdoc are entirely free, fast, and secure.
Children's oral health statistics in Los Angeles, California
According to the 2020-2021 National Survey of Children's Health, California ranks 47th among the 51 states and the District of Columbia for pediatric dental disease. The survey found that around 14.8% of the children in California aged 1 to 17 had developed decayed teeth or cavities in the previous 12 months studied.
The Los Angeles Times reported that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not even 60% of California's population receives fluoridated water. It is necessary to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, although many California children fail to meet that requirement. Some families cannot afford toothpaste or toothbrushes, and many are unaware of the fundamentals of oral hygiene. There is a shortage of proper education for both children and parents.
Your child can attain optimal dental health with proper oral hygiene and timely visits to a pediatric dentist in your area.
Sources
Healthychildren.org
Elmhurst Dentistry for Kids
WebMD
Standford Medicine Children's Health
Los Angles Times
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health
MouthHealthy
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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