Most Common Questions for a Pediatric Dentist:
- Why treat baby teeth if they are going to fall out anyway?
- Why take a child to the dentist if nothing is bothering them?
This is a common misconception. Why do you start preparing your child for school in advance? Why do you buy beautiful notebooks, take them to kindergarten for a few hours, get them used to waking up to an alarm clock…
The importance of the first impression
For a little person, any new activity is a challenge, a complex stage. If the first impression fails, parents’ lives will be poisoned for a long time by the daily necessity of dragging a resisting child to a place where they need to go anyway. The first meeting with a dentist is no different from a new event or any other introduction: it can be fun, interesting, and inspiring, or it can leave an indelible mark of negativity on a vulnerable child’s psyche. Which of these two options will you choose for your little one?
Professional challenges of a pediatric dentist
The profession of a dentist is not easy, like most other professions, but being a pediatric dentist is even more challenging than working with adults (it even reflects on doctors’ salaries). And the hardest part of treating children for me personally is watching the suffering of little ones who are generally not at fault. It’s not they who buy sweets by the kilogram instead of fruits, it’s not they who create their menu and diet poor in calcium, it’s not they who don’t schedule appointments or come for preventive check-ups… They simply mimic their parents’ behavior – brushing or forgetting to brush their teeth; fearing scary stories about the mean dentist they will be taken to if the child doesn’t start or stop doing something the parent demands… and so on. Who gives them sweets instead of educational toys? Who ignores “spots on teeth” until the swelling reaches the cheek?
Why it is important to treat baby teeth
Yes, baby teeth normally do fall out and should be replaced by permanent teeth of larger size. However, the problem lies in the fact that the buds of permanent teeth are in close proximity to the roots of baby teeth or between their roots in the case of the molar group. Therefore, with such close contact, untreated issues with baby teeth will transfer to the permanent teeth.
It’s important to know!
When untreated cavities (those dark or light spots that parents often overlook) quickly progress to inflammation of the tooth pulp (causing pain), and then develop into periodontitis with gum swelling, the development of the permanent tooth bud is seriously affected. This can disrupt its structure, shape, or even lead to its destruction. When a diseased baby tooth is removed, there is a possibility of damaging the root of the permanent tooth bud, altering its position and growth subsequently, necessitating inevitable orthodontic intervention in the future.
All of this could have been avoided with a preventive examination!
Why minor cavities require significant attention: implications for orthodontics
A small cavity in a baby tooth can lead to numerous delayed bite problems in adolescents, requiring expenses for braces and orthodontic treatment. It’s not just about money; it’s about finding a highly qualified specialist who can truly solve the problem rather than just treat it! Almost any pediatric dentist can treat cavities, but only an orthodontist with years of training can fix a non-removable appliance to expand the upper jaw. This also takes your time!
Typically, children need to be accompanied to the dentist, and correcting bite pathologies can take from 6 months to several years. Treating a cavity in a baby tooth can be completed in one visit. The difference is significant. Furthermore, there are cases where permanent tooth buds are absent. It is especially important to maintain hygiene of baby teeth and consult with an orthodontist to choose a treatment strategy to navigate this complex situation with minimal losses.
Turning teeth cleaning into an engaging game: secrets from a mom-dentist
I have a child who was also given cakes and cookies despite my pleas and protests. Additionally, she has a sweet tooth. So, I have some experience that I would like to share with you. What did I personally do? What worked?
Every child needs to be thoroughly accustomed to oral hygiene from a very young age.
They must understand that “brushing teeth” is as important as eating and that no circumstances can cancel or postpone this daily activity. Just as laziness won’t make you skip a meal… the same should apply to brushing teeth! It’s crucial to set an example. By prioritizing teeth cleaning and showing consistency, children observe and learn. As soon as their teeth erupt, start brushing them daily. There are special finger brushes for early teeth, which are convenient to use. You could brush your teeth together: turn it into a game or competition like “who does it better” or “I can brush for 1/2/4 minutes or until the timer goes off, can you?”
Any attention to a child’s hygiene should be utilized.
Let’s bring out all the stops! Beautiful bright toothbrushes, toy-shaped brushes, rattling brushes, children’s electronics with different modes and interchangeable superhero stickers… Change toothpaste brands: let the little one choose their preferred toothpaste at the store, whether it’s with a cartoon character or maybe a cola flavor. Switching toothpaste becomes an event: compare which paste smells better – the old one that’s finished or the new one? Tell them that this time the toothpaste is special: only real princesses use this pink or chocolate-flavored one. Or say superheroes always clean their teeth with such colorful paste.
Creative techniques.
Any books about “the life of teeth,” about “crafty cavities and microbial invaders,” any tales of tooth fairies, any games like “mold a play-dough tooth and clean it with play-dough toothpaste,” any cartoons or movies about the “queen of toothbrushes” – all of these are your allies in the battle for your child’s health.
Additionally, offering a small prize or gift to the best tooth cleaner in the family can greatly stimulate a love for hygiene. Whether it’s reading a bedtime story or any other ritual that rewards the child’s efforts.
Secrets for a successful first meeting with a pediatric dentist
Since a visit to the doctor is inevitable, we try to soften it as much as possible, focusing only on the positive aspects, creating a positive image of the dentist, and preparing the child for the visit. What can help us with this?
Secret 1. Befriend the doctor!
Say, “It will be so interesting! There are many different toys there. You will definitely make friends with the doctor and play together.”
If you’re taking your child to a private clinic, look at photos on the website. Are there balloons or coloring pages? Tell the child in advance: “You can even draw there!” Is there an aquarium with fish? “We will choose the most beautiful fish, give it a name, and make a wish to the goldfish!” If you’re taking your child to a public clinic: buy a small gift in advance, perhaps agree with the doctor beforehand and discreetly pass it to them, for example in a bag; at the end of the appointment, the doctor can “gift” what your child dreams of. You know all the details: do they collect small cars or soldiers? Do they like picture books or prefer soap bubbles? Inform that well-behaved little patients will receive a surprise from the dentist at the end. The costs are minimal, but the child’s desire to visit the dentist again doubles! I bought such secret gifts for each room of the pediatric dentist.
Secret 2. Toy in treatment!
Let the child choose a toy to bring along, which the doctor will also “treat.” It’s great if it’s something plastic with teeth. But even if it’s their favorite soft toy, it’ll work too 🙂 The doctor can show using the toy that they’ll first look at its teeth in a small mirror, then blow gently like a breeze, and might even clean its toy tooth with a buzzing brush… all part of an engaging game, not treatment: “first to the toy, then we’ll clean your teeth if you want.”
Secret 3. Maintaining a Positive Attitude!
No matter what personal experiences you have had with dentists in the past, never tell your child anything negative or scary about doctors and their treatments. Do not scare children with doctors – this is very important. Any of your fears, any thoughtless phrases thrown in passing, any negative evaluations will be transferred by the child to the doctor they are meeting for the first time in their life. Remember: Your experience is yours alone. Give the doctor a chance to befriend the little one: starting with a clean slate makes it easier and faster to establish a connection. So, never use words with a negative connotation, with fear, or doubt: “it doesn’t hurt,” “it’s not scary,” “just one little injection,” “it’s like a mosquito bite.”
Focus on the fact that the child is going to play and get to know an interesting new person. Let the dentist engage them in the examination process subtly and skillfully.
Secret 4. First Impression!
Read reviews about the pediatric dentist, choose a pleasant doctor for the first meeting who loves their profession and children. The first impression is important! While nothing hurts, the doctor has more time and opportunities to play with the child, establish contact: rock them up and down in the chair, spray water from the syringe, let them hold a small fascinating mirror. The child gets used to the new, unusual environment, sounds, things, smells… and all of this won’t seem scary or threatening later: after all, they’ve been on a dental chair before like on an amusement ride, touched those hooks and instruments – “you can see teeth in them! Like in the bathroom at home, just smaller.”
And if the child is in a good mood – you can go further – brush with a toothbrush (almost like an electric one at home) and unusual blue, green, or purple (your choice) toothpaste… one tooth… or maybe all of them, so they shine!
Secret 5. Small Joys After the Appointment!
If the first meeting went well and the doctor gave something: a sample of toothpaste, a small toy, a coloring page, or even a colorful toothbrush for “treating the teeth of soft toys at home.” Be delighted! What wonderful toothpaste, how minty it smells.
Or: I would color this page myself! Will you share it with me? What a cool toy! Extraordinary. Elevate the significance of the event: you approve and even feel a bit envious, thinking about going to the dentist yourself for such a toy or coloring page!
Do not postpone what can be done today: the importance of regular dental check-ups
Now think for yourself: it’s not quite the same to apply fluoride with a brush or drill it at ten thousand rotations. Children do not like vibrations, and adults would often prefer just applying a protective coating. Unfortunately, when half of the tooth is already destroyed by bacteria, “applying fluoride” is too late.
That’s why it’s essential to visit the pediatric dentist regularly. You brought your child for the first time and everything went well: everyone was happy, it was interesting and fun, but then New Year came with pastries, cakes, cookies, candies. All of this was eaten over a month. In the daily hustle, brushing was forgotten, several days were skipped altogether… everyone relaxed, which means risks increased to a critical level, and it’s necessary to check in time if everything is okay. Or the child went on vacation, to camp, or to the country house: change of environment or forgot their toothbrush at home, felt uncomfortable or scared, got carried away, forgot, plus secretly bought and ate sweets… Visit the dentist! Trust me, it’s better to be safe than sorry. A simple preventive cleaning won’t take much time but will provide invaluable help.
The more difficult hygiene is given to the child himself, the more often it is necessary to visit the dentist: he will remove the uncleaned dark plaque that sticks tightly, hold a conversation, inspire, correct how the little patient brushes his teeth himself, point out problem areas, mark what needs to be paid attention to, advise something new and more perfect if it is necessary. It is much easier to keep your mouth clean after professional hygiene – the brush itself slips off your teeth!
I hope that I have managed to convince you and dispel your doubts on at least two dental issues!