Pediatric Dentistry in Hackensack

Pediatric dentistry is different from dental techniques used with adults for a variety of reasons. For one, a child's adult teeth have not yet erupted. Another consideration is that young children tend to be more anxious about visiting the dentist. At Aesthetic Dental Center of Hackensack, our pediatric dental specialist and team are sensitive to the special needs of children and trained to help put them at ease.

Children begin getting baby teeth within their first six months of life. They began losing their first set of teeth at around seven years of age. The baby teeth are eventually replaced by permanent teeth. If proper dental care is not provided, these kids can develop tooth decay, leading to expensive and complicated procedures.

We want to work with you, the parent, to ensure that your child has a comfortable experience whenever they visit the dentist. We will be providing you with knowledge that can help put your child at ease. Our goal is the creation of a comfortable environment that leads your child to seek dental care throughout the course of their lives.

Let's take a look at some common pediatric dental procedures and what is involved.

Some services provided through pediatric dentistry include:

* Oral health examinations for infants.

* Preventative dental care like dental cleanings, as well as fluoride treatment.

* Counseling regarding oral habits like thumb sucking and pacifier use.

* Repair of tooth cavities or tooth defects.

* Management of periodontal disease and conditions like ulcers.

* Early detection of problems requiring teeth straightening, or correction of an improper bite.

Pediatric Tooth Decay

Baby teeth are extremely important, although some parents feel that they are not because they will eventually be replaced by adult teeth. However, when baby teeth become lost at an early stage, remaining teeth can shift, which may leave no room for adult teeth to emerge. Also, tooth decay in baby teeth can be expensive and painful for your child.

Causes of Pediatric Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can occur whenever your baby's mouth becomes infected by bacteria that secrete acids that eat away at the tooth enamel. Your child can also develop tooth decay whenever they are exposed to a food or beverage that has been left out for a long period of time, allowing bacteria to multiply.

This usually happens whenever a parent allows their child to remain in bed with a bottle of formula, juice or milk, or any beverage containing sugar. Take care to only serve milk with meals, instead of throughout the day or during nap time.

Dental Cleanings

Other than maintaining healthy oral habits at home, like regular brushing and flossing, the best way for your child to avoid tooth decay is by keeping up with their regular dental cleanings.

A dental cleaning begins with a visual inspection of your child's mouth and teeth. If any issues are spotted, the pediatric dentist will follow up on the suspicious tooth lesions later on. After, any plaque or tartar found on your child's teeth will be scraped away. They will also carefully floss all of their teeth to remove any food or debris from between them.

Fluoride

Cavities develop when the enamel of the teeth wears away. Fluoride helps to re-mineralize the spots and prevent cavities. Some amount of fluoride is naturally found in some bodies of water. Your tap water also likely contains fluoride. Additional fluoride can be found in products like toothpaste, some bottled water and many mouth rinses.

Early Orthodontic Care

It is never too early to monitor the oral development of your child. We are trained to identify problems like malocclusion, or a crooked or crowded bite. We can intervene early in these situations to guide teeth while they are emerging. More extensive treatment can also be prevented through intercepted orthodontic treatment. We will be checking the progress of your child's bite and the development of their jaw when they undergo their regular dental examinations. This type of early assessment can help to prevent expensive and extensive orthodontic work down the road.

Contact Us

Children are not simply tiny versions of adults. They cannot always remain patient and cooperative when visiting the pediatric dentist. Our staff is trained to treat children so that they become very comfortable. We also have specially designed equipment that was put into place with children in mind.

If you have been putting off a dental checkup for your child, it is not too late to get back onto track. Please contact Aesthetic Dental Center of Hackensack to schedule an appointment for them.