Pedodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the oral health of children. The main objective is to allow the child to reach adulthood without oral health problems, intercepting problems at an early stage. Today we have all the means and knowledge to achieve this very important objective.

Why is it important to take care of baby teeth?

Many parents wonder why baby teeth need to be treated, since they will be replaced by permanent teeth. Baby or deciduous teeth play a fundamental role in the development of the mouth of the little patient. The care of the deciduous tooth has several purposes:

• remove infections;
• preserve chewing function;
• maintain the length of the arch: the baby tooth has the function of maintaining space for the permanent tooth that will erupt;
• stimulate the growth of the alveolar bone: the tooth is the fulcrum of bone growth, early loss is always associated with reduced bone growth of the jaws but in general of the maxillofacial skeleton;
• intercept any bad habits and malocclusions

Ad hoc services for children

In our clinic there is also the possibility of treating our little patients using nitrous oxide, a harmless gas that allows the child to calm down.

How is treatment performed in children?

The main difference in dealing with dental treatment in children lies in small technical differences but above all in the different psychological approach. While the treatment of adults requires a direct relationship between dentist and patient, with children the relationship is triangular: child, parent, team.

Parent The figure of the parent plays a fundamental role in the relationship of trust that we want to establish with the little patient. Often the fearful parent who experiences the relationship with the dentist with anxiety risks transmitting anxiety and fear to the child. Parents always attend the first visit. If the parent wishes, they can also attend the preliminary approach phases; however, it is preferable for the parent to remain in the waiting room for subsequent sessions. When he is allowed to assist, he must not interfere with the dialogue that we establish with the child, he must not hold his hand and he must not console him with phrases like “you’ll see, the doctor won’t hurt you!” This phrase contains messages that undermine the child-doctor relationship of trust because the child is reminded that the person who is about to treat him could hurt him.

Team-Child Relationship

In our Center, the rule is that the child is gradually introduced to therapy. The therapeutic process of the little patient is divided into two phases:

• Phase I: approach
• Phase II: of treatment

The approach phase is fundamental. For us it is important that the little patient who approaches the dental environment for the first time can live this new experience well and without trauma. We believe that the slow approach is the most advisable method of introduction to treatments, both because the child becomes aware of the treatment and because he learns to manage his own attitude.

We want him to experience the first meetings at our office as a game. The relationship with the little patient must be built over time. We know that to gain his trust and attention we must be in tune with his problems and his imagination. Only when the child is ready and has gained trust in us will we begin the actual therapy.

In the approach with the child we follow three fundamental stages.

Explain – Demonstrate – Carry out any maneuver or operational act that we intend to perform on him.

We are always very careful to use truthful and child-friendly language using easily understandable terms and synonyms to explain the procedures. For example, we will talk about pen or pencil, ointment or plasticine or straw rather than probe, filling material or aspirator. Another basic point is to promise only what can be kept.

This stimulates the little patient’s total trust in us. The child, acquiring more and more trust, esteem and consideration in us will be led to accept our therapy. The child must face the session after being properly prepared. It is good for parents not to worry about providing too many explanations because they can inadvertently transmit anxiety or fear to the child. Unfortunately, young patients often witness more or less truthful stories of the suffering caused by the dentist to relatives and peers. It will be our job to reassure them and inform them about the therapy.

Prevention Our primary goal is to motivate the patient to maintain a state of oral health. Prevention is divided into different moments:

Oral hygiene teaching the technique of tooth brushing (toothbrush, floss, plaque disclosing tablets) APPLICATION OF SEALANTS DIET CONTROL PERIODIC REMEMBERS EVERY 6 MONTHS

Oral Hygiene Plaque plays a fundamental role in the etiology of tooth decay. Plaque is made up of macrocolonies of bacteria contained in an organic matrix. Bacteria do not begin the enamel demineralization processes until they adhere to the teeth via dental plaque. Plaque removal is one of the cornerstones of prevention. For us, it is essential to teach young patients a correct brushing technique.

Sealants Sealants are a mechanical-physical protection for certain dental areas, such as deep grooves and pits, which reduces the incidence of tooth decay. It consists of applying a protective photopolymerizing resin in correspondence with these grooves and pits on the occlusal surface of the molars. However, remember that the interdental spaces can still decay.

Diet Diet plays a fundamental role in the incidence of caries. Today we know with certainty that refined sugars, present in sweets, chewing gum, snacks etc., have a highly cariogenic power. Bacteria feed mainly on sugars and this leads to the production of acids in a very short time with a reduction in PH (acid attack) and consequent demineralization of the enamel. We therefore recommend moderating their intake and, as far as possible, doing so during meals. Fruit, vegetables, meat are the least cariogenic foods. We recommend a diet based on hard and fibrous foods because they promote the cleansing of the teeth and the functionality of the masticatory muscles and a consequent correct development of the jaw bones.

Check-ups We recommend that parents of our little patients make their first visit at the age of 3-4, when the baby teeth are complete. It is advisable to prescribe the first x-ray of the maxillary arches (OPT) at the age of 6. The panoramic x-ray is an important tool that allows us to make a complete diagnosis. It is useful for evaluating the presence of all the teeth, their root development, agenesis or the possible presence of supernumerary teeth.