Pediatric dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is one of the nine specialties of dentistry and deals with dental health of kids from their birth through their years of adolescence. The way to deal kids is different as compared to the way adults are dealt with. A pediatric dentist is extremely cautious while dealing with children because none of his actions should instill an element of dental phobia in their minds. This is because such a fear grows up with the child to become a full-fledged phobia. It is tough to revert this state as it becomes practically impossible to bring a person back to a stage of fearlessness once he reaches to the level of intense phobia.
The aim of pediatric dentist is to make the dental treatment as comfortable and non-scary for the child as possible. For this purpose, a child is never taken in for treatment in his first visit until and unless it is an emergency. Generally, kids are given a small dental tour wherein they are showed the various gadgets like drills or dental chairs with their lights. Once the kids familiarize with the dental office, they find themselves more willing to go for dental treatments.
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that helps parents in safeguarding their kids’ teeth from early dental decay and premature tooth loss. The most important step to fight dental decay in children is routine dental visits. This allows the dentist to evaluate the condition of the existing teeth and treat any cavities at the very early stage of formation itself. Of course, brushing teeth and flossing at least once daily are oral hygiene measures that have to be practiced compulsorily on a daily basis.
Children have to go through a phase of mixed dentition which is a stage when parents should be really careful about as the permanent teeth start erupting in this phase and deciduous teeth shed off gradually to make the way for their successors. As parents we may just get too busy to notice if our kids have got all his teeth erupted at the right time. Therefore, regular dental visits play a very critical role in the maintenance of healthy and strong teeth in kids.
Dealing with kids can be tacky at times. They may not agree to lie down when asked to and may just run around in the office. Therefore, a pediatric dentist is trained to manage such patients tactfully. Initially, the dentist starts off with a smile on his face but when he finds that the child is not cooperating he may shift to some tougher actions. This happens only when the dental treatment is extremely essential for the child and the non-performance of it might lead to severe complicated situations. Generally, an uncooperative child is counseled by the dentist or the staff and the child is convinced to go for the treatment. Most of the times, children cooperate well in the absence of their parents. When they find their parents sticking around they tend to attract their attention and pampering by crying aloud.
Treating kids can really be challenging at times but at the end of the day it is fun to talk with the little ones and see them smile back lovingly!
