Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is the specialty that takes care of the oral health of young children, from birth through adolescence, gently and with an emphasis on creating a reassuring and non-traumatic environment.
Children deserve special attention regarding care, prevention, and practicing good oral hygiene. The first visit allows your child to become familiar with the dental team, the instruments, and helps establish a treatment plan if necessary.
The role of the pediatric dentist is to prevent and detect as early as possible any treatments needed for infants, children, and adolescents to avoid problems in the future.
At what age should a child see a dentist?
We recommend bringing your child for a short consultation around their third year (between 2 and 3 years old) to help them get familiar with the dental office environment, instruments, and team. The dentist will also provide oral hygiene advice (tooth brushing) to be started as early as possible!
How do children’s teeth develop?
Children’s teeth and their development vary from child to child, and their dentition changes a lot from birth until adulthood. Here are some key milestones to consider:
The first baby teeth appear between 6 and 12 months after birth;
Your child will have all their primary (baby) teeth by age 2 to 3;
The first permanent tooth, the first molar, usually appears around age 6;
Between ages 6 and 12, permanent teeth start to replace the baby teeth as they fall out gradually;
The second permanent molar appears around age 12, marking the end of the mixed dentition phase.
These eruption dates are averages, and early or late arrivals don’t necessarily indicate a problem. That’s why regular follow-ups with your child’s dentist are essential.
Caring for Baby Teeth and Permanent Teeth
Even though baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth, it is essential to care for them properly. Treating baby teeth is crucial because it helps your child develop healthy permanent teeth and also because baby teeth serve many important functions, including chewing, speech, pronunciation, and aesthetics.
If left untreated, a decayed tooth can cause your child pain and potentially affect their overall health (fevers, swollen lymph nodes). It can also impact the eruption of the permanent tooth beneath it. If your child's cavity develops into an infection, this infection can cause irreversible damage to the underlying permanent tooth.
Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealants are a preventive technique used in children to protect permanent teeth and help prevent cavities from forming.
Sealants are often recommended by your dentist and applied to the first and second permanent molars, which commonly have deep or narrow grooves that toothbrushes struggle to clean effectively.
Fissure sealing is a prophylactic, non-invasive, quick, affordable, and painless procedure. The sealant covers the grooves, making them inaccessible to food debris and bacteria, without the dentist needing to drill or prepare the tooth.
