What is Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry)?

Pedodontics is a branch of dentistry that works to protect, treat and support the development of children's oral and dental health from birth to adolescence. Pediatric dentistry is not only limited to dental treatments; it also aims to prevent possible problems by monitoring children's oral and dental development. Therefore, pediatric dentistry is a special specialty that includes preventive practices, early diagnosis methods and behavior management techniques.

Pedodontics recommends regular check-ups to determine whether children have any problems with their dental health, to prevent cavities and to promote healthy tooth development. Paying attention to dental care and health from infancy minimizes dental problems that may occur later in life. Special approaches are applied to help children overcome their fear of the dentist and acquire oral hygiene habits during the dental treatment process.

Since children's oral structures and dental development are different from adults, pedodontists closely monitor jaw and tooth development by using special treatment methods for children. Pediatric dentistry is not only a field for treatment; it is also important for preventing cavities, detecting orthodontic problems early and teaching habits that support dental health.

Who is a Pedodontist (Pediatric Dentist)?

A pedodontist is a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry and deals with the oral and dental health of children from infancy to adolescence. Pedodontists are specialists who have received special training to prevent, early diagnose and treat possible dental problems by following the dental development processes of children.

Since children's teeth and jaw structures are different from adults, pedodontists apply special treatment methods to the problems encountered during this period. They also take a psychologically supportive approach to help children overcome their fear of dentists. Pediatric dentistry is not limited to treating tooth decay; it also aims to teach children oral and dental care habits.

Pedodontists try to prevent dental problems that may occur later in life by performing special preventive applications for children. They perform important procedures to prevent caries formation, prevent tooth loss and support jaw development, especially with methods such as fluoride applications, space maintainers and tooth sealing. In addition, gum diseases, dental traumas, treatments related to deciduous teeth and orthodontic guidance are also within the specialty of pedodontists in the field of pediatric dentistry.

The tasks of pedodontists include the following:

• Performing the first dental examination of children and ensuring regular check-ups,
• Monitoring the healthy development of milk teeth,
• To apply preventive treatments for dental caries in children,
• Using placeholders to prevent tooth loss,
• To follow the teeth and jaw structure of children and to provide orthodontic guidance if necessary,
• Treating emergencies such as dental trauma,
• Raising awareness among parents about children's oral and dental health.

Pedodontists are specially trained to protect children's dental health as well as to make them feel comfortable and safe during the treatment process. Pedodontists, who serve children in special dental clinics, hospitals and private practices, work to ensure that children have a healthy smile.

What Does Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry) Look For?

Pedodontics (pediatric dentistry) deals with the processes of protecting, developing and treating children's dental and oral health from birth to adolescence.

Areas of Interest of Pedodontics:

• Tooth decay: One of the most common problems in children, early diagnosis and treatment is important.
• Gum diseases: Prevention and treatment of problems such as bleeding, swelling or inflammation.
• Tooth development and orthodontic guidance: Early interventions are made by following the jaw structure and tooth alignment.
• Tooth traumas: Treatment of broken or loose teeth as a result of a fall or impact.
• Oral hygiene education: Guidance is provided for children to acquire the habit of brushing their teeth.
• Preventive applications: Fluoride application, fissure sealants and space maintainers are used to protect teeth.
• Dental treatment in children with special needs: Appropriate treatment methods are applied for children with special conditions such as autism and Down syndrome.

Pediatric dentistry has not only a therapeutic but also a preventive approach. It aims to create a healthy oral structure with regular dental examinations at an early age.

What Symptoms Are Seen in Pedodontics (Pediatric Dental) Diseases?

Pediatric dentistry aims at early diagnosis of diseases related to dental and oral health in children. Below are the symptoms of the most common dental diseases:

• Tooth decay: White, brown or black spots, hot and cold sensitivity, pain when eating.
• Gum disease: Red, swollen and bleeding gums, bad breath.
• Tooth eruption problems: Teeth not erupting at the expected time or erupting irregularly.
• Tooth trauma: Teeth that are shaken, broken or dislodged.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism): Teeth clenching during sleep, jaw pain, headache.
• Bad breath (halitosis): Bad odor due to decay, gum disease or lack of hygiene.
• Finger sucking and bad oral habits: Jaw structure disorder, teeth pushed forward.

When any of these symptoms are noticed, a pediatric dentist should be consulted to prevent further problems.

Diagnosis and Tests Performed in the Pedodontics (Pediatric Dental) Department

Pediatric dentistry uses a variety of tests and diagnostic methods to monitor tooth and jaw development and to detect cavities and other oral diseases early.

Diagnostic Methods Applied in Pedodontics:

• Dental Examination: Checking the teeth for decay, wear and irregularities.
• Radiographic (Digital X-ray) Examination: Evaluation of caries, impacted teeth and jaw development.
• Tooth Decay Risk Assessment: Preventive measures are taken by determining the child's susceptibility to caries.
• Dental Trauma Assessment: Tests performed in cases of fracture, shaking or tooth loss.
• Orthodontic Examination: Jaw development and tooth alignment are checked.
• Saliva Tests: Can be applied to detect bacteria that cause caries formation.

Pediatric dentistry prevents serious dental problems thanks to early diagnosis and ensures that the child has a healthy oral structure.

What are the Working Areas of Pedodontics?

Pediatric dentistry (pedodontics) is not limited to the treatment of caries, but works in many different areas to protect and improve children's oral and dental health.

Main Areas of Pedodontics:

• Preventive Dentistry: Preventive treatments such as fluoride applications, fissure sealants and space maintainers are applied to protect children's teeth from cavities.
• Dental Caries and Treatment: Repair of common caries in children with fillings or root canal treatment.
• Tooth Trauma: Treatment of broken, dislocated or loose teeth.
• Gum Diseases: Diagnosis and treatment of gum problems such as bleeding and inflammation.
• Orthodontic Guidance: Early diagnosis of disorders in jaw development and tooth alignment.
• Dental Treatment in Children with Special Needs: Special treatment methods for children with special conditions such as autism and Down syndrome.
• Oral Hygiene Education: Teaching children and parents the correct tooth brushing habits.

Pediatric dentistry aims to ensure that children have healthy teeth with both a therapeutic and preventive approach.

When to Go to the First Dentist Examination?

Pediatric dentistry recommends regular dental checkups starting from infancy. Pedodontists recommend the first dental check-up after the first tooth erupts or at the latest at the age of 1 year.

Importance of Early Examination:

• Prevention of cavities: Baby bottle decay and early tooth decay can be recognized.
• Oral care education: Parents are provided with guidance on tooth brushing and nutrition.
• Monitoring tooth development: Jaw structure and correct positioning of teeth are evaluated.
• Preventing fear of the dentist: Examinations at an early age help children get used to the dentist.

Regular pediatric dentist check-ups prevent serious problems by protecting dental health in the following years.

Oral and Dental Care in Children

Pediatric dentistry recommends that regular care for a healthy oral structure should start at an early age. Gaining the right oral hygiene habits in children plays a major role in preventing tooth decay and gum disease later in life.

Oral and Dental Care Recommendations for Children:

• 0 Age: Before the first teeth erupt, the gums should be cleaned with gauze or a damp cloth.
• 1-3 Years: When the first teeth appear, a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush should be used and the amount of paste should be the size of a pea.
• 3-6 Years: Teeth should be brushed in the morning and evening and parents should check.
• 6 Years and Over: Children can brush their teeth themselves and flossing should be encouraged.

Pedodontics recommends regular dental check-ups for children to gain tooth brushing habits and prevent cavities.

What is the Importance of Milk Teeth?

Milk teeth play a critical role in children's oral and jaw development. Pediatric dentistry recommends protecting healthy deciduous teeth, preventing early loss and monitoring tooth development with regular check-ups.

The Importance of Milk Teeth:

• Nutrition and digestion: Thanks to its chewing function, it ensures proper digestion of food.
• Speech development: Helps the proper development of language and speech skills.
• Guidance for permanent teeth: Milk teeth ensure the correct positioning of the permanent teeth that will come from below.
• Jaw and facial development: Contributes to the proper development of the jaw structure.
• Prevention of dental caries: Decay in primary teeth can affect the health of permanent teeth.

Pedodontics recommends regular dental examinations and preventive practices to keep baby teeth healthy.

What are the Preventive Practices?

Pediatric dentistry offers various preventive practices to prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems. These methods keep teeth healthy and prevent more serious problems later in life.

Main Preventive Practices:

• Fluoride Application: A special gel or varnish that strengthens tooth enamel and prevents the formation of cavities.
• Fissure Sealants (Tooth Sealing): A protective layer applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars prevents the formation of cavities.
• Place Holders: Provides the correct positioning of permanent teeth by replacing prematurely lost milk teeth.
• Tooth Decay Risk Analysis: The child's susceptibility to caries is evaluated and personalized protective measures are taken.

These applications ensure the protection of a healthy tooth structure with interventions made at an early age in the field of pedodontics.

What Do Space Retainers Do?

Space maintainers are appliances that protect the cavity of prematurely lost deciduous teeth and ensure the proper alignment of the permanent teeth that will come from below. Pediatric dentistry recommends the use of space maintainers to prevent crowding and orthodontic problems in case of early loss of primary teeth.

Benefits of Placeholders:

• Allows permanent teeth to erupt in the correct position.
• Supports jaw development and prevents irregularities.
• Prevents neighboring teeth from shifting after tooth extraction.
• Reduces the need for orthodontic treatment at a later age.

Placeholders can be removable (removable) or fixed (bonded to the teeth). Pedodontists determine the most appropriate placeholder model in accordance with the child's tooth structure.

What is Fluoride Application?

Fluoride application is a preventive procedure that helps prevent caries formation by strengthening tooth enamel. Pediatric dentistry states that fluoride makes teeth more resistant to acids and reduces the risk of cavities.

Benefits of Fluoride Application:

• Strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities.
• It can stop early caries formation.
• It can help reduce tooth sensitivity.

Fluorine Application; It is applied to the tooth surface in the form of gel, foam or varnish. It is recommended not to eat and drink for a certain period of time after the application.

Pedodontics aims to protect dental health by recommending fluoride application at certain intervals in children.