Pediatric Dentistry
What is the treatment?
Paediatric dentistry (pedodontics) is the specialty that aims to protect children’s oral and dental health from infancy through adolescence and to treat problems in primary and permanent teeth. Dental treatments in child patients, unlike those in adults, require much greater care, a psychological approach and patience. The main aim is not only to treat the teeth, but also to prevent the child developing “dental-chair fear” and to instil a lifelong awareness of healthy oral care.
Who is it suitable for?
- Children of all ages from babies whose first primary tooth has erupted through to the end of adolescence,
- Children with tooth decay, trauma or a broken-tooth problem,
- Those at risk of bottle caries or early tooth loss,
- Children with a fear of the dentist, a high anxiety level, or who cannot cooperate in clinic conditions because of a mental/physical disability (under sedation or general anaesthesia).
How does treatment proceed?
Unless an emergency intervention is needed, treatment in children is planned with the child’s psychology foremost, progressing from simple to complex:
- Meeting and acclimatisation (check-up sessions): Procedures are generally not carried out at the first appointments. The aim is for the child to like the dental setting and to trust it. The procedures, the dental unit and the instruments to be used are introduced in play language the child can understand.
- Simple procedures: Once the child’s cooperation is achieved, treatment begins with entirely painless, preventive procedures such as fluoride application or fissure sealants.
- Complex procedures: After a bond of trust is established, more complex treatments such as fillings, root canal treatment or extractions are started.
- Sedation and general anaesthesia: In children who cannot cooperate in clinic conditions because they are very young, extremely fearful or have a disability, treatments are carried out in a single session, safely and without pain, under general anaesthesia or sedation, under specialist medical control.
Points to consider before treatment
- Before the appointment, words that may frighten the child such as “needle”, “pain”, “blood” or “extraction” must not be used at all.
- The dental visit should be described not as a punishment or obligation but as a fun activity and a routine check-up.
- The parent should not come between the dentist and the child; the dentist should be allowed to guide the child and build trust.
Points to consider after treatment
- If local anaesthesia (numbness) was used, the child should not eat or drink anything until the numbness passes (about 2 hours). Otherwise they may bite their lip or cheek and harm themselves without noticing.
- Preventive treatments applied in the clinic should also be supported at home; a regular toothbrushing routine should be established morning and evening under parental supervision.
- Because replacement of primary teeth and jaw growth continue, routine dental check-ups every 6 months must not be missed.
Yes, there certainly is. Primary teeth are a guide for the healthy eruption of the permanent teeth underneath. Primary teeth extracted early or left decayed disrupt jaw development and lead to crowding and serious orthodontic problems later. Decayed primary teeth also cause severe pain, feeding problems and sleep problems.
In children with whom cooperation cannot be established in the clinic, who are extremely fearful, or who are too young to be persuaded, all dental treatments can be carried out comfortably and safely in a single session under sedation or general anaesthesia in a hospital setting.
The World Health Organization and paediatric dentistry associations recommend that the first dental examination be carried out from the appearance of the baby’s first primary tooth (generally 6 months – 1 year). These early visits make it possible to take measures before decay forms.