From an early age, children must realize that they must have good hygiene, by brushing their teeth daily. However, caring for a child is not always easy! We must arm ourselves with patience, kindness and pedagogy. Pediatric dentists are there to reassure them, and prescribe dental care adapted to their age, their morphology and their pathology.

What is a Pediatric Dentist?

The pediatric dentist or pedodontist, will come to take care of the oral health of the child from birth to adolescence.

Specially trained in this specialty, the pediatric dentist will follow the growth and development of your children’s teeth. It will also prevent and treat various pathologies. Beyond the medial aspect, it is a psychological dimension that the pedodontist will possess; over the course of the sessions, he will be able to establish a relationship of trust with his young patient, which will allow him to apply care and treatment more easily.

What is his role?

The pedodontist will receive his young patients in a colorful and fun atmosphere. Indeed, dental phobia often appears during childhood… It is therefore essential for the child to feel comfortable in the environment where he finds himself, and in confidence with his pediatric dentist.

The role will of course be to reassure the child by explaining to him in simple words, and according to his age, the different stages. He will adjust the necessary care according to his age; and does not use any medical term that could create anxiety in the child.

How does it intervene?

The pediatric dentist will intervene on different forms of care and treatment, namely:

Awareness: which is the most important part! Not only does the pediatric dentist help the child understand the importance of brushing their teeth daily, but they help the parents by giving them some advice on the choice of toothpaste, food and drinks to avoid, and no longer suck his thumb.

The prevention of cavities: cavities very frequently affect children. The role of the pediatric dentist is therefore to apply sealants and fluoride treatments to protect the enamel of the teeth, and reduce the rest of the development of cavities.

Prevention of cavities: at this age, the risk of having a cavity is greater. In order to prevent their appearance, the Columbia pediatric dentistry applies a protective anti-caries varnish; it is a resin that will come on the occlusal grooves of the permanent molars.

Defections from any pathologies: thanks to a radiology system, the pedodontist will be able to predict and prevent any oral problems that could affect your child’s teeth. This ranges from malocclusion, to bruxism, to irregularities in the jaw. These examinations allow the patient to start treatment as soon as possible in order to meet the patient’s needs.

Care and treatment: beyond preventive treatments, it will also provide the patient with more important acts, and may be required to treat certain oral traumas, if for example the baby teeth fall out prematurely.

It is advisable to make the first appointment with a dentist with pediatric expertise as soon as the first baby tooth appears. From this moment, it is recommended to consult a dentist every 6 months, to ensure that his teeth are developing properly.

From the age of 6, the child can consult an orthodontist, who will assess whether the wearing of braces is necessary.