Remember when children kicked and screamed their way to the dentist? Not anymore–the trip is judged a treat by children who watch their favorite video, and learn to brush along with their favorite cartoon character. Our offices have more in common with a modern play land that an old-fashioned doctor’s office.
We give a special emphasis on child psychology, growth and development. Infants, preschoolers, children, and adolescents each need a different approach in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems.
Most adults who are poor dental patients might have had a traumatic dental experience during their childhood.
‘First visit by first birthday’ sums it up. Your child should visit a dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between six and twelve months of age. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.
Most of the children who have regular dental visits from infancy remain caries free (decay free) throughout their lifetime.
We provide children (also their parents) with information regarding prevention of dental caries, oral hygiene measures and other common oral problems thereby helping them achieve a smooth transition from milk teeth to an ideal set of permanent teeth.
Milk teeth are as important as the permanent ones because:
- They are important in proper feeding and nutrition.
- They serve as space maintainers for the proper spacing and alignment of the permanent teeth which come in their place.
- Healthy milk teeth are crucial in helping the baby learn how to speak properly.
- Healthy looking teeth are important in building self-confidence at an early age. Small children because of immaturity are quick to tease peers about ugly looking or decayed teeth.
The chewing surfaces of teeth are never flat, but have certain depressions and grooves called Pits and Fissures which serve as potential traps for food and bacteria making the teeth susceptible to decay.
Although other factors such as dietary habits, oral hygiene and amount of sugar intake do play an important role, but the pits and fissures have been suggested as ‘the single most important anatomic feature leading to the development of tooth decay’. Therefore as a preventive measure certain pits and fissure sealants are placed.
The decay inhibiting properties of sealants are attributed to the physical obstruction of the pits and grooves. This prevents penetration of fermentable sugars and the bacteria cannot produce acid that causes tooth decay. The safety and effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants as a decay preventive measure has been confirmed by the American Dental Association.
However, good professional judgment should be used in the selection of teeth and patients. These are contraindicated in cases of already existing decay which require fillings.