Pediatric Dentistry

What are the common issues of dental health in children?

Children can experience many of the same dental issues as adults. However, untreated dental problems can lead to poor and misaligned tooth development since their teeth are still developing. This can cause more severe problems as the child grows older.

Some of the most common issues with children are:

• Tooth decay
• Bad breath
• Sensitive teeth
• Thumb-sucking
• Gum disease
• Teeth grinding
• Canker sores
• Baby teeth-loss
• Over-retained primary teeth
• Dental Anxiety

How should I care for my baby's teeth?

Caring for your baby’s teeth is essential from the moment the first tooth appears. We recommend bringing your child for a dental exam by their first birthday. Regular six-month check-ups from then on will put your child on a similar schedule to most adults. We can monitor your child for dental problems while customizing preventive coaching to fit specific conditions.

As a parent, you can take some early steps to prevent tooth decay even before your child’s first dental visit. 

• Your baby’s teeth should permanently be wiped down with a damp cloth or flushed with water after feeding, especially before they fall asleep. Milk or formula residue left in the mouth can lead to decay, even in the youngest patients. Untreated cavities can eventually lead to pain and infection.
• Weaning your child off breastfeeding or bottled milk by age one year can help prevent decay and minimize the chance of jaw growth problems resulting from excessive sucking. 
• Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, as even a tiny piece of tooth showing can develop a cavity. Start by brushing with a soft-bristled brush and water, and ask your dentist when it’s okay to use a small amount of toothpaste.
• Once your child is old enough to brush on their own, continue to monitor their brushing and go back to clean any areas they may have missed. 
• Avoid giving bottles of sugary drinks or milk before bedtime. Use a straw with sugary beverages to give the teeth less contact with the liquid. 
• Try to limit the overall sugary foods your child eats and drinks.

What is pulp therapy?

If your child experiences sensitivity, constant pain, or swelling around a tooth, it could be a sign of pulp damage. The pulp is the living part inside a tooth, and it can become damaged due to trauma, decay, or infection. 

When the pulp is damaged, it’s essential to try and retain as much of the living pulp as possible while also treating the infection or removing any damaged sections. One way to achieve this is through a pulpotomy. If just the tip of the pulp is damaged and the pulp root is unaffected, a pulpotomy can be performed. The decayed part will be removed, and materials will be placed over the remaining pulp to protect it. Finally, a crown will be placed. This increases the chances of your child producing a healthy adult tooth by saving the pulp. 

However, a pulpectomy will be performed if the damage extends into the tooth root. All the living material will be removed, and the space will be filled, like an adult root canal. A crown will be placed to help with spacing when the adult tooth comes in.