Pediatric Dentist

Who is a Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)?

When should you first visit the pediatric dentist?

The first visit to the dentist should be made after the first baby tooth has erupted. The first baby teeth usually erupt between 6 months and 1 year of age. The purpose of the first examination by the pediatric dentist is to give recommendations regarding your child's oral health and nutrition and to maintain oral and dental health with visits every 6 months.

What are the symptoms of teething in babies?

The first baby tooth usually comes out between 6 months and 1 year of age, and the 20 baby teeth are completed at around 2.5-3 years of age. When baby teeth come out, your baby may experience increased salivation, redness and rashes on the cheeks, tearing, reddening of the eyes, scratching the gums with hands and biting/putting everything in the mouth, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea and sleep disorders. The gums in the areas where the teeth will come out are red and swollen. To relax your baby during these periods, you can massage your baby's gums after washing your hands and give them plastic teethers by keeping them in the refrigerator. You can give painkillers and fever-reducing syrups by consulting your dentist or doctor.

When should teeth brushing begin?

As soon as the teeth appear in the mouth, they should be cleaned with damp gauze (dampened cheesecloth) or finger brushes after feeding, and water should be given to remove milk and food residues, especially after night feeding. In order for the child to gain the habit of brushing, the child should be allowed to use a toothbrush, but the family should brush again afterwards to clean the areas they cannot reach.

Since children's salivary function is not fully developed until the age of 3, toothpaste should be used in a very small amount in the form of a swab. Children's toothbrushes and children's toothpastes should be preferred. A pea-sized amount of children's toothpaste can be used for children between the ages of 3-6. After the age of 6, your child can start using adult toothpaste.

Figure: Applying toothpaste with a swab (left) and a pea-sized amount (right) (AAPD Guideline on Flouride Therapy, 2014)

Teeth should be brushed after every meal and especially before going to bed at night.
To motivate your child, you can stand in front of the mirror together and brush your teeth in the morning and evening.

What is baby bottle tooth decay (Early Childhood Tooth Decay - ECC)?

Early childhood caries is defined as the presence of decay or loss and/or fillings in one or more of the primary teeth of children 71 months of age or younger. It is usually seen in babies who are bottle-fed for long periods at night.
To prevent early childhood caries, you should prevent your baby from sleeping with a bottle at night, make sure to give him water after night feedings and try to put him to sleep after he is finished feeding. You should never add sweeteners such as sugar, honey, molasses to the milk in the bottle. After feeding your baby, you should definitely clean his teeth with a damp muslin or gauze.

What is fluoride application? Is fluoride harmful?

Fluoride is a natural mineral. It can be applied every 3 or 6 months to reduce tooth decay, depending on the person's caries risk status. Fluoride, which is known to have toxic effects when added to systemic circulation in very high doses, has been proven in many studies in the literature to have no harmful effects on the person when applied in dentistry, but on the contrary, it prevents the formation of caries in the teeth and the progression of existing caries. There are many methods of applying fluoride (toothpaste, mouthwash, gel, varnish). When choosing which fluoride to apply, the child's age and caries risk status are taken into consideration.

Specialist Dt. Cansu Uzun Önalan