• What is a pediatric dentist?
• What are sealants?
• Are thumb and pacifier habits bad for the teeth and jaw?
• What is preventive dentistry?
• Why is it necessary to maintain space when a baby tooth is lost early?
• What is "early" orthodontic care?

What is a pediatric dentist?
A pediatric dentist is a specialist who is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen-age years.  During this "growth" phase of a child, special approaches are needed in dealing with behavior and guiding dental growth and development to avoid future problems.

Did you know that pediatric dentists have two to three additional years of training after graduation from dental school to educate them to special needs and remedies available for children?  There are many areas of prevention and care unique to children that a pediatric dentist is specially trained to identify, treat, or prevent.  That is why many parents wisely choose a pediatric dentist for their child's dental needs, just as they choose a pediatrician for their medical needs.

What are sealants?
Sealants are made of clear or shaded special plastic.  They are painted on to surfaces of the teeth with grooves or pits to help keep them cavity free by sealing out food and plaque. 

The application is quick and comfortable.  The tooth is cleaned, dried and conditioned.  The sealant is applied, then allowed to harden by activating it with a special light.

Sealants can last for many years, if your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects.  However, they can be easily repaired or replaced if one becomes damaged.  Regular (6 month) check-ups will enable your dentist to monitor the condition of previously placed sealants.

Are thumb and pacifier habits bad for the teeth and jaw?
Most children will stop sucking fingers or a pacifier between the ages of two and four, with no harm done to their teeth or jaws.  However, some children repeatedly suck a finger or other object over long periods and may cause the front teeth to tip out or not come in correctly.

If your child is not able to stop sucking habits on his/her own, your pediatric dentist can offer encouragement and advice.  If this does not work, he may recommend an appliance for the mouth that blocks sucking habits.

Are pacifiers safer for the teeth than fingers or thumbs?  No, but a pacifier habit may be easier to break.

What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dentistry starts with the first tooth.  It is a lifelong commitment to dental health.  It includes proper diet, brushing and flossing, regular cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, and orthodontics if needed.  It results in a healthy attractive smile, giving a person confidence in his/her appearance.

Why is it necessary to maintain space when a baby tooth is lost early?
If a child looses a baby tooth too early due to an accident or dental disease, the adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space causing a loss of space for future permanent teeth.  If left untreated extensive orthodontic treatment may be eventually be required.

Your pediatric dentist may recommend a space maintainer, which is a metal or plastic appliance custom fitted to your child's mouth to prevent tooth movement until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the jaw.  It's easier on your child and more affordable to keep teeth in their normal position than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment.

What is "early" orthodontic care?
In order to prevent or minimize orthodontic treatment later, your pediatric dentist can monitor your child's oral development, identifying malocclusion, crowded teeth, or bite problems.  He can intervene with appliances to guide the teeth as they emerge.  As with any dental or medical treatment, the child's cooperation is essential for optimum results.  Careful brushing and flossing and regular check-ups are a must during this treatment to protect your child from tooth decay and gum disease.

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