Children start getting their baby teeth when they are 6 months old and begin to lose these teeth by the age of 6 or 7 years. Baby teeth are eventually replaced by permanent teeth. Proper dental care is necessary to maintain a child's oral health. Pediatric dentists provide overall oral health care that incorporates the following:

• Comprehensive oral health exams for infants and children which involves risk assessment for caries and cavities.
• Preventive dentistry like fluoride treatment and application of dental sealants. 
• Habit counseling for controlling practices like prolonged use of pacifiers and thumb sucking. 
• Early assessment of the bite to prevent future orthodontic problems.
• Restoration of tooth cavities and other defects.
• Ascertainment of oral conditions linked with diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, hay fever, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder.
• Diagnosis and management of gum diseases. 
• Emergency dental care for fractured, displaced, or knocked-out teeth.

 We at Pleasanton Smiles are also trained to create a friendly, fun, social atmosphere to relieve children's dental anxiety.

What are the procedures available under pediatric dentistry?

Space Maintainers

Certain children lose their baby teeth quicker than expected. This may happen due to various reasons like dental trauma or tooth decay. In such a scenario, the other teeth in the mouth are at risk of coming loose due to lack of support. The loose teeth then move into the spaces created by missing teeth, which in turn affects the eruption of permanent teeth. The permanent teeth become crooked and erupt in incorrect positions leading to severe orthodontic issues in the future. A space maintainer is a dental device that keeps the space left by missing baby teeth open and ensures the eruption of permanent teeth in correct locations. A space maintainer is custom-made and can be either removable or non-removable in nature.

Fluoride treatment

Your dentist will recommend a fluoride treatment in order to prevent tooth decay or to stop an already existing decay from getting worse. A thin layer of fluoride varnish is painted on the topical surfaces of teeth with a brush. Fluoride remineralizes the tooth enamel and strengthens it to protect it from caries and cavities. It is a quick procedure and does not cause any discomfort.

Dental Sealants

It is difficult for the children to brush their teeth properly especially the back teeth with fissures and grooves. As a result, the plaque and bacteria multiply in these regions and cause tooth decay. This is where dental sealants come in. A dental sealant is a thin coating of plastic which is used to seal off the vulnerable areas present on the molars and premolars. Dental sealants help prevent tooth decay by quickly bonding into the depressions, fissures, and grooves of the teeth. They form a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth and protect them against bacteria and plaque.

Stainless Steel Crowns

Primary or baby teeth are extremely important for the correct eruption of your child's permanent teeth. When they are inflicted with decay, the dentist will remove the damage and cover the treated baby tooth with a stainless steel crown. Stainless steel crowns cover or cap the damaged baby teeth to provide strength and prevent them from falling out before time. This prevents future orthodontic problems.

Mouthguards

More than anybody, children require mouthguards. They are involved in multiple sports and prone to injuries. Mouthguards like aligners fit snugly in the mouth and shield teeth against injuries. They are removable in nature and can be put in and out of the mouth at one's will.

Root Canal Treatment

The pulp chamber is present just below the dentin and houses nerves and tissues. On bacterial infestation, the pulp chamber becomes infected and requires immediate removal. The procedure to remove the diseased pulp is called a root canal treatment. Root canal treatment protects the tooth structure and preserves your natural teeth. In children, the pulp chamber lies very near to the enamel and is more susceptible to infections. Therefore, root canal treatments and pulp therapies are extremely common in children.

Dr. Sumeet Masaun and her team are committed to treating multiple dental health issues with the latest technology. She is dedicated to improving the health, function, and beauty of your smile. Pleasanton Smiles transforms the smiles of patients living in California, 94566. For further queries and doubts, schedule an appointment with us at 925.425.7114 or visit our office.