Visits to the dentist can be scary experiences for children, with all its odors, tools, and significant people with masks. Therefore, parents must search for a pediatric dentist specializing in working with kids. Get the Best information about Zahnarztpraxis Bern.
Pediatric dentists receive additional education, training, and experience to meet the unique dental needs of infants, children, and teenagers. Pediatric dentists may also specialize in behavior modification, sedation, or hospital dentistry services.
Dental checkups
Dental checkups help children build healthy and confident smiles that enhance social development. A poor smile can often cause teases that affect self-esteem and lead to other health complications like heart disease.
Kids should begin visiting the dentist when their first tooth erupts to familiarise themselves with the clinic and build a trusting relationship with their dentist. Furthermore, this enables them to keep meticulous records of oral health and jaw development so they will be easier to treat if any dental problems do arise,
A dentist will teach children how to care for their teeth at each visit and advise on ongoing oral hygiene practices. Furthermore, they will take X-rays and provide comprehensive reports regarding the state of the child’s teeth; moreover, they will monitor growth patterns and any warning signs – an ounce of prevention is worth more than a cure!
Oral health education
Oral health education refers to teaching individuals about their oral health. It forms an essential component of preventive dentistry and also plays a critical part in encouraging healthy lifestyle choices; poor oral health poses risk factors for many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
Oral health literacy is critical in instilling early healthy habits to prevent dental issues in later years, including tooth decay and gum disease. Children who don’t practice good oral hygiene are at a greater risk of missing 51 million hours of school annually and are less likely to find success in career opportunities.
Studies have proven the efficacy of oral health education. Studies have illustrated how education can promote both knowledge and behavior changes related to brushing and flossing; for instance, one study employed trained personnel providing 45 min courses eight times weekly during one year at eight different schools for one year with baseline data collected through self-administered questionnaires while behavioral questions on methods of tooth brushing were observed directly using a checklist.
Prevention of tooth decay
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that eat away at the outer layers of teeth, creating holes known as cavities and eventually leading to tooth loss. To protect children against tooth decay, encourage them to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily with soft-bristled toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste.
Kids should rinse or brush their teeth after indulging in sugary snacks and beverages, including sweet liquid medicines, as well as after snacking on sticky foods like raisins, gummy candy, taffy, and fruit roll-ups that adhere to teeth and create the ideal breeding ground for bad-guy bacteria.
Dentists use sealants (thin films of resin applied by dental practitioners to the chewing surfaces of back teeth where grinding and chewing occur) to protect children from decay. Adhesives should typically be used after permanent teeth have erupted; they can also be used for baby teeth. Supplements, toothpaste, fluoride varnish, or gel for infants all offer excellent cavity prevention solutions; make sure your child brushes and flosses regularly while visiting a dentist every six months for optimal oral health!
Prevention of thumb sucking
Parents often worry that thumb-sucking can lead to dental issues for their children. While the risks vary depending on how frequently and long a child suckers their thumb, passive or occasional sucking usually does not pose too many long-term risks.
Children who suck their thumb aggressively or consistently have an increased risk for various health complications, including flaring of top baby teeth, an open bite (space between upper and lower teeth), and constriction of jaw bones that can lead to headaches. Thumb sucking may also create an abnormal position known as posterior cross-bite that hinders their face development as they grow up and potentially impact their facial, ears, and mouth development.
To assist your child in breaking this habit, try finding alternative comfort strategies without sucking their thumb. Instead of scolding, pleading, or arguing with them, provide positive reinforcement for healthy behaviors. Some kits are available that physically prevent your child from sucking their thumb, like flexible braces that attach to their elbow or cover it at night with bandages.
Dental emergencies
Pediatric dental emergencies require special skills and patience. Knowing what steps to take during an emergency will allow your child to receive immediate treatment that can reduce pain while helping avoid long-term issues.
Children and baby teeth are especially prone to decay and other oral health problems as their enamel is less durable. Children may consume sugary foods more frequently or neglect to brush and floss regularly – contributing to cavities or toothaches.
An uncomfortable toothache or broken tooth could indicate cavities, gum disease, or an infection in the pulp – and visiting your dentist can help determine the source of discomfort. They will conduct an exam and recommend treatment accordingly.
Children can be very active and boisterous, which can result in injuries. Sports or sibling play may result in trauma to the mouth. A knocked-out tooth should be treated immediately: control any bleeding and try putting it back in its original position if possible; otherwise, have your child bite on gauze or cloth until they can see a dentist.
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