Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with the oral health of children from the earliest age to adolescence.

The recommendation is that the first visit to the dentist should be at the age of 6–12 months, as soon as the first tooth erupts. The first examination is often just getting acquainted with the office, examining the gums, and advising parents on nutrition and care of baby teeth.

Regular visits to the dentist enable timely detection of problems, taking preventive non-invasive treatments (fissure sealing, fluoridation), and thus avoiding more extensive interventions at an early age. During the first visits to the dentist, children encounter something unknown, so it is crucial that the dentist is not associated with fear, pain, and discomfort, which can greatly affect the future health of teeth, gums, and the formation of oral hygiene habits in children.

Baby teeth in children, although temporary, their health is of great importance because they:

• Maintain space for permanent teeth
• Participate in proper jaw and speech development
• Enable normal chewing and nutrition
• Help in proper arrangement of permanent teeth

Neglecting baby teeth can lead to:

• Pain and infections
• Early extractions and problems with permanent teeth eruption
• Development of dentist phobia

The most common treatments in pediatric dentistry are preventive (fissure sealing, fluoridation, educating children about proper oral hygiene) but if necessary, treatment of baby teeth and young permanent teeth is also performed. Orthodontics is very common at an early age. From an early age, children's teeth position, jaw growth, and facial development are properly guided with orthodontic appliances. Also, baby teeth are painlessly extracted if they do not fall out on their own and it is time for their replacement, or the frenulum that can disrupt speech and normal function is surgically removed.

Parents play a very important role in their children's oral health, here are some tips for parents:

• Start brushing teeth as soon as the first tooth appears – with a small brush and fluoride-free paste (up to 2 years)

• After 2 years: paste with fluoride (1000 ppm), under supervision

• Avoid sugar in bottles, especially at night (causes "baby bottle caries")

• Encourage the child to brush teeth 2 times a day

• First orthodontic examination around 6–7 years

We build the foundation of a healthy smile and healthy oral hygiene habits in children together. As we mentioned, parents play a big role and should follow guidelines and advice. At MIA Dent dental office, our goal is to make every visit a positive experience and for the child to come willingly, developing the habit of regular checkups and trust in the dentist. The child's sense of security, through proper approach and education, is paramount and perhaps the key thing in developing healthy habits, healthy teeth, and gums.