Pediatric Dentistry – A Healthy Smile begins with a Child

May 5, 2024 dev.abrar No Comments

A happy and smiling child is worth more than all the money in the world!

All parents would definitely agree with the above statement. As parents, we know that the health of our little ones is extremely precarious, and utmost attention is required. It is a less known fact that tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. It is imperative that parents inculcate good practices from childhood to ensure optimum dental hygiene, which would continue into teenage and spill over into adulthood.

Let’s start with what exactly is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric Dentistry, also known as Pedodontics, is the branch of dentistry that is concerned with preventive and therapeutic oral health in children of all ages, from toddlers to teens.

Pediatric Dentists or Pedodontists are the specialty oral care providers who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems for infants and children through adolescence. They have the qualifications and experience to care for a child’s teeth, mouth, and gums throughout the various stages of childhood.

Taking your child for routine dental check-ups from a very early age will pave the way for sustained, healthy dental habits lifelong. It places a very strong emphasis on the fact that their oral health is a top priority and that is how a child will learn to prioritize their dental health and start caring about it.

What are baby teeth and why is it important to save Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth which are also known as deciduous teeth/milk teeth/primary teeth play a big role in a child’s dental health. Children get their first baby teeth during the first 6-8 months of life and they start losing their milk tooth when they turn 6 to 7 years, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth.

Milk teeth should be maintained well despite the fact that it will fall off eventually to be replaced by a permanent set of teeth. If they fall out prematurely, the eruption and the development of the permanent teeth will be hindered as the baby teeth serve as natural place-holders for the baby’s secondary teeth.

Having known what is pediatric dentistry and baby teeth, let’s read on to know why it is essential to have a dental checkup for your child?

It’s vital to take your children for a regular dental checkup, beginning at a young age because neglecting those important baby teeth can cause trouble which could very well be for a lifetime.

Without proper dental care, there are possibilities that a child might face tooth problems such as tooth decay, early tooth loss, and common dental problems such as tongue thrusting, lip sucking, and also gum diseases. It is definitely alarming to know that as per extensive surveys and reports, nearly 25% of children between the ages of 2 to 5 years, already have teeth cavities.

As parents, you always want to do what is best for your children and your children’s dental health is no exception.

We know how exhaustive it is for a parent to prepare your child for dental procedures. It is not going to be easy as children are not very cooperative always. In fact, dental exams can be an intimidating and painful experience for a child which they would like to avoid and this can be quite overwhelming for parents as well.

We at Credence Dental are well experienced to pamper and treat our young patients to have a pleasant experience and leave with a smile to eat all the chocolates and sweets they enjoy eating.

We believe that a healthy smile begins with a child!

Call us at +91-9141160212 to book an appointment with our Pediatric dentistry Specialist

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry – Helping Little Smiles grow into Big Smiles!

May 5, 2024 dev.abrar No Comments

As Pediatric Dentists, we believe that ‘smiles can start as early as age one’ and the newborn babies have the most charming innocent smiles.

As we have read here, most babies start teething as early as 6-8 months of age and some after they turn 12 months old. That is exactly when our role as a pediatric dental doctor sets in!

Do you know the type of Treatments Pediatric Dentists Provide?

Pediatric dentists use their extensive expert knowledge to evaluate some of the comprehensive oral and dental health care conditions such as:

Delayed teething issues in babies or toddlers: For an infant to be suitably weaned onto solids, it’s imperative that the child hits the developmental milestones at the right time, and teething in babies is one of the important milestones. If the teeth or jaw fails to form, this often manifests as late teething which may occur in many babies and needs to be addressed immediately. An untimely tooth eruption can hinder a child’s speech development so the issue needs to be reviewed and treated promptly.
Tooth decay and dental caries: It is a less known fact that tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. Baby teeth are more prone to decay compared to permanent teeth as the milk teeth have lesser mineral content than the permanent teeth. Baby teeth are going to fall out eventually but they matter a lot and when the cavities are left untreated, it may cause infections and dental abscesses around the root. This will affect and harm the eruption, growth, and development of the permanent teeth, which develops right below the milk tooth. Untreated cavities can also impair the chewing/masticatory abilities of the child which greatly influences the overall wellbeing and the development of the child.
Misaligned teeth (Malocclusion): Malocclusion due to developmental issues can be addressed by the pedodontist.

Pedodontists also specialize in various other tasks like:

Child’s special oral care needs and dental health exams
Preventive dental care like teeth cleaning and fluoride applications, application of sealants and special counseling and recommendations on child’s nutrition and diet
Toothaches due to an abscess or broken, cracked tooth are considered dental emergencies
Breaking the child’s habit by discouraging thumb sucking, pacifier use, and finger sucking habits through different devices and methods as a part of oral habit counseling
Focusing on long term space changes and management if the primary tooth is lost in case there is a premature loss of teeth
Early assessments for correcting an improper bite (orthodontic treatment) and straightening teeth that are misaligned
Dental injuries like a displaced or fractured tooth that needs to be repaired or cared for
Diagnosis of oral conditions that are associated with some of the diseases like a congenital heart defect, asthma, diabetes, hay fever, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, etc.
Ulcers, mucoceles, pediatric periodontal diseases, and other gum disease management.

Our pediatric dentists encourage parents to start timely and preventive dental check-ups for their child. Following are some of the guidelines our pediatric dental specialist suggests for Infant Oral Health Care:

Brush and Floss teeth every day: To maintain a healthy set of teeth for life, brush your teeth at least twice a day and flossing it right after eating to eliminate harmful bacteria from the mouth is a good practice and the most effective way to remove plaque and debris from a child’s teeth.
Using toothpaste that contains fluoride: Dentists recommend that fluoride toothpaste should be a part of your child’s dental routine as fluoride makes the teeth strong and helps prevent cavities but just make sure that your child uses a very little amount of toothpaste because swallowing fluoride products increase the risk of fluorosis, a condition that causes changes in the appearance of tooth enamel in little kids.
Frequent and regular dental appointments: The dentists will provide strategies to decrease the risk of tooth decay by evaluating the general conditions of your child’s mouth.
Nutritional Assessment & Diet evaluation: Diet and nutrition play a key role in a child’s overall dental health as the food that they eat has a lasting effect on their teeth which could do some crucial damage. The risk of cavities and decay is greater when the child’s teeth are exposed to sugary food items more frequently.

At Credence Dental, as a pediatric doctor, our primary goal is to use our professional expertise, and retain a child’s healthy radiant picture-perfect smile and assure that our little patients feel safe and relaxed when undergoing dental treatments. We ensure that a child’s pediatric dental experience turns out to be a positive one and they would be happy to return.

Our dentists are dedicated to providing exceptional oral healthcare so that the little ones’ dental appointments will be non-traumatic and stress-free. Our Pedodontists make sure the child is comforted and ready for treatment by communicating in a kind and compassionate manner. Based upon a child’s dental health history, severity, special health care needs, and parental preferences, suggestions on dental treatments are provided by our dentists for the emotional, intellectual development, and the well-being of a child.

Call us or Whatsapp us at +91-9141160212 to book an appointment today with our Pediatric dentistry Specialist.

Pediatric Dentistry

Complete Guide to Children’s Dental Health: Tips for Every Stage of Development

June 30, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

Caring for children’s dental health is crucial for their overall well-being. From infancy to adolescence, establishing good oral hygiene practices lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. In this article, Credence Dental provides valuable tips and guidelines to ensure optimal dental care at different stages of your child’s development.

Infancy (0-2 years):

It may surprise you, but dental care actually begins before a baby’s first tooth erupts. Starting with gentle oral care habits during infancy can promote good oral health as they grow. Here are some tips for caring for your baby’s dental health during this stage:

Clean gums: Before teeth erupt, wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings to remove any residual milk or formula.
Start brushing when teeth appear: Once the first tooth emerges, start brushing it gently with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush. Use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.
Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle: Prolonged exposure to sugary liquids can lead to tooth decay, so avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice.

Toddlerhood (2-5 years):

During this stage, Children’s teeth continue to develop and baby teeth start to fall out. It is crucial to establish good oral hygiene practices to prevent cavities and promote healthy oral habits. Here are some tips for dental care during toddlerhood:

Brush twice daily: Encourage your child to brush their teeth twice a day using a small amount (pea-sized) of fluoride toothpaste. Assist them until they can brush effectively on their own, usually around age 6 or 7.
Supervise brushing: Monitor your child while they brush to ensure they reach all areas of their mouth and brush for the recommended two minutes.
Introduce flossing: When two teeth are touching, start flossing between them to remove food particles and prevent cavities.

Limit sugary snacks and drinks: Minimize your child’s intake of sugary snacks and drinks, as they can contribute to tooth decay. Encourage water as the primary beverage.

Childhood (6-12 years):

As children enter the school-age years, they start to gain independence in their daily routines. Reinforcing good dental habits during this stage is crucial as they continue to develop their permanent teeth. Here are some tips for dental care during childhood:

Maintain regular dental check-ups: Schedule dental check-ups every six months to monitor tooth development, identify any potential issues, and receive professional cleanings.
Encourage a balanced diet: Provide a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods. Limit sugary snacks and drinks to prevent cavities.
Monitor oral habits: Keep an eye on any thumb-sucking, lip-biting, or tongue-thrusting habits that may impact dental health. Consult your dentist if any of these habits persist beyond age 5.

Adolescence (12-18 years):

Teenagers experience significant changes in their bodies, including their oral health. Oral hygiene practices should be reinforced, along with the identification and management of potential orthodontic issues. Here are some tips for dental care during adolescence:

Emphasize oral hygiene: Encourage your teenager to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Proper oral hygiene is crucial during this stage as permanent teeth continue to develop.
Watch for orthodontic concerns: Monitor your teenager’s dental alignment and growth. Consult an orthodontist for an evaluation if you notice any orthodontic concerns like misalignment or overcrowding.
Promote healthy habits: Encourage your teenager to make healthy lifestyle choices, including avoiding tobacco, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and staying properly hydrated.

In conclusion, caring for children’s dental health from infancy to adolescence is a continuous process that requires age-appropriate practices and guidance. By establishing good oral hygiene habits early on, parents can help their children maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. Regular dental check-ups, a healthy diet, and avoidance of harmful oral habits contribute to optimal dental care throughout childhood and into adolescence.

Book an appointment today if you are facing an issue with your children’s dental health

Visit Credence Dental today to get more information on Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Our dentist provides the best dental consultation, Book an appointment today

Pediatric Dentistry

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and How Do I Prevent it?

June 15, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

Often heard of a term called baby bottle tooth decay by your dentist? Yes it’s a very common form of tooth decay which occurs in children. This develops when baby teeth have frequent and prolonged contact with lots of sugar. This is commonly seen in babies who are put to bed with a milk bottle, when a bottle is used as a pacifier or if the baby is using a bottle or sippy cup for an extended period of time. Milk also contains natural sweetness and if this stays on teeth for long period of time, bacteria start to grow , multiply and produce acid leading to cavitation in teeth

Signs and Symptoms of baby bottle tooth decay

Decay caused by baby bottle tooth decay can generally form in any of baby teeth, but they might commonly occur on upper front teeth. These can be seen as uncharacteristic white, brown or dark brown spots on teeth. Teeth are prone to breakage and they chip off easily leading to unpleasing smile

Detriments Of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Decay in infants can become a point of concern as if it’s left untreated, there can occur pain and infection. There can occur tooth loss or irregular space between teeth as teeth are brittle and easily chip off. This can lead to deficient eating habits, speech problems and can also harm the permanent tooth bud present inside. Overall dental pain, misaligned teeth, pain on chewing, serious infections are all the potential complications which can occur because of baby bottle tooth decay. If the infection is severe enough, there are high chances dentist might have to remove baby teeth prematurely which is generally not recommended

Can Sippy Cups Hurt My Child’s Teeth?

Yes, similar to baby bottles, sippy cups are also responsible for tooth decay. This is to be noted when your child is making a switch from bottle to sippy cup around 1 year of age. Always try for a spill proof cup with a spout which resembles a bottle which can be easily used by the little ones. If this doesn’t work try an alternative, but never give up.

Consequences of baby bottle tooth decay

If you see any sign of tooth decay in your child, contact your nearest dentist soon. If these decay are left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection, poor eating habits, speech problems, crowding in teeth and even damage to the permanent teeth. The worst and the last resort in such cases is to remove these teeth at an early age

Ways to prevent baby bottle tooth decay

Never share saliva with your baby by sharing feeding spoons or licking the pacifiers
If you are giving a bottle to the child, fill it with only breast milk or formula milk.
Never put your child to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. The sugar present in the liquid will remain on the child’s teeth for hours.
If your child is using a pacifier, provide a clean pacifier. Also don’t dip it in honey or sugar
Wipe the child’s teeth with clean gauze or wash the child’s mouth after feeding. The gum pads need to be clean always
Avoid filling of bottle with any form of sugary drinks or soft drinks
Never let the child walk around with bottle of juice or milk
Begin brushing a child’s teeth as soon as they grow. Initially use a child size toothbrush and small amount of fluoride toothpaste until age of 3 years
Encourage children on healthy eating habits and limit the sugar intake
The bottle can be filled with water or the milk can be diluted and lately the dosage of milk can be tapered
Schedule regular dental visit by your child’s first birthday

How do I know when to take my child to the dentist?

Regular dental visits are generally recommended by a child’s first birthday or when the first tooth can be seen in the oral cavity. If your child’s teeth begin to appear uncharacteristically white, yellow or brown or your child is experiencing pain, they may be facing symptoms of baby bottle tooth decay. Your pediatric dentist can provide you a definite treatment depending on the severity.

Book an appointment today if you are suffering from Tooth Decay and How Do I Prevent!

Visit Credence Dental today to get more information on Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Our dentist provides the best dental consultation, Book an appointment today

Pediatric Dentistry

Is Thumb Sucking Harmful For Your Child?

April 15, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

What is Thumb Sucking?

Thumb sucking is the placement of the thumb or finger at various depths into the mouth. This habit is usually not considered abnormal during the first 2 years of life. But if it extends beyond 4 years, then there is some psychological or habitual bearing to it. In both cases, the habit is considered to be harmful for the child.

What causes your child to start thumb sucking?

Babies have natural sucking or rooting reflexes. The mouth is a source of gratification for the infant. An infant associates sucking with pleasurable feelings like hunger, satiety and being held. Hence it is a normal comforting behaviour in young children. It helps self-soothe, feel secure and help them go to sleep. But if this habit persists as the child grows it calls for concern or visit Credence Dental for an expert’s advice.

It can be due to many reasons like inadequate breast-feeding, insecurity of child due to working parents, greater number of siblings, peer pressure, stress, difficulty in social adjustment. It is seen that the younger sibling, the more the frequency of thumb sucking. In the newborn the habit is due to hunger, in the first few weeks of life due to feeding problems, as a tooth during eruption of back teeth and at a later age due to emotional problems.

How will thumb sucking harm the child?

Because of thumb sucking, the child, when he puts his thumb in mouth, along with just placing it inside the mouth he tries to suck on it and applies a tremendous amount of force against his upper teeth. Due to this, his front teeth become flared and get pushed forward, and gaps start forming in between the teeth causing an unesthetic appearance. Also, because of this force, the back teeth get pushed inwards causing problems in bite which causes orthodontic problems at a later stage.

The effects of thumb sucking mainly depends on three factors – the duration, frequency and intensity with which the habit is performed. A rise in any of these factors is harmful for the teeth. Thumb sucking can also give rise to other oral habits like mouth breathing and tongue Thursting.

When should I intervene?

Before 4 years of age, the child’s level of understanding complicates cooperation with any of the intervention options. Also, the habit does not cause much harmful effects during this age. But try keeping the child busy in doing anything so that he does not engage in the habit. Care should be taken in that enough time is given to breast-feeding to infants to decrease their urge in sucking habits and also bottle fed infants should be held by their mother and enough time should be given to this process.

After 4 years of age, intervention is needed. Use psychological plays and a reward system for the child. Discuss the problem and its effect on the teeth. Keep a daily record of episodes of digit sucking and check on the child’s progress in stopping the habit. A decrease in the number of times the habit is practiced is evidence of progress and indicates that the child will likely discontinue the habit.

Do not get over anxious regarding the habit and punish the child. This can create greater tension and may even intensify the habit. You should disregard the habit and not mention it to the child.

Use positive reinforcement. A timed reward system may also help. For each day the child refrains from the habit for a set period of time, a star is placed on a calendar. In week 1, the child receives some reward or prize predetermined by the parent if the child refrains from thumb sucking for say, 10 minutes. With each day of success during this time period, the child is praised individually and also through positive comments to family friends and relatives.

In successive weeks, increasing the time challenge, the child refrains from sucking.

The prizes are progressively enhanced in value for the child. The goal is to help the child control the urge to suck. If the child continues to successfully control the habit for 3 months, the long-term chances of stopping the habit are good.

When you are at home, try spending ample amount of time with your child, so that he does not have a feeling of insecurity. After 6 years of age, the psychological approach becomes difficult to implement as the habit has become deeply ingrained in the child, as this the child who has tried to stop but cannot get it done. This requires the use of reminder therapy and dental habit-breaking appliances to stop the habit.

Reminder therapy employs the use of some distasteful or bitter tasting agents on the finger, tying of ace-bandage on the elbow, use of long-sleeve night-gown or mittens. There are various intraoral appliances which prevents the child to put his finger entirely into the mouth thereby robbing the pleasure of sucking.

Click Here to know more about Thumb Sucking

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Pediatric Dentistry

Dental Crown – Does your child need it?

March 15, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

Has your pediatric dentist suggested a Dental Crown? Then read on to know more about Dental crowns and if your Child needs it or not.

Why does your child need a dental crown?

Every parent desires that their children should be free of any decay in their teeth which will help them in being healthy. Yet it doesn’t stop the initial thought by parents when they hear the word Dental crown. Thoughts keep coming to mind, is there really a need for a crown? They are just baby teeth which are eventually going to be replaced by permanent teeth. But the facts are different. Pediatric Dentistry says that baby teeth can help your child to speak properly, eat comfortably and serve as a space maintainer for their permanent teeth

If decayed teeth are not treated, it compromises other surrounding teeth too. Dental decay in children’s teeth is a significant health problem and affects 60% to 90% of school children. When teeth have decay, the dentist does a filling if the cavity is small. But if the cavity is large and involves multiple surfaces of the tooth, then doing just a filling does not suffice because the filling will lack support of the tooth structure. In such cases the dentist will recommend that tooth should be reinforced with a crown. Also, after doing a root canal treatment the placement of crowns is recommended to prevent fracture of the tooth and to avoid further ingress of bacteria

Types of Pediatric Crowns

Crowns used for children for repair and restoration of primary teeth differ slightly in terms of material used, but function in a similar manner to the adult crowns. These crowns are usually pre formed in the form of tooth shaped caps which cover vulnerable teeth , and thus store their strength

The selection of which type of crown to be placed is mainly dependent on the location where it is required in the oral cavity. Like if it’s a back tooth where esthetics is not very important metal crowns are preferred, whereas for front teeth, esthetic crowns are suggested as it will give more of a natural look.

These crowns are ready crowns and hence the treatment can be completed in a single visit itself, unlike adults where they have to visit 2 or 3 times for crown placement. If these decayed teeth or root canal completed teeth are not covered by a crown, there are high chances of breakage with the tooth, which will further complicate the case. The layers of baby teeth are very thin compared to the adult teeth and this makes them vulnerable to easy breakage. On other hand if a tooth is lost prematurely, neighboring teeth will want to fill in the space and thus create crowning of all teeth. This might be a clear indication of orthodontic treatment in future.

Stainless Steel crowns

One type of pediatric crowns is the stainless steel crowns which have been used for more than 80 years now. They are known as the gold standard in pediatric dentistry, the crown is a preformed metal shell that can be easily placed and customized to fit on any tooth. The durability, strength and resistance to moisture is 1000% compared to other crowns.

They require minimal preparation, are cost effective and the most affordable option to go for. The only concern with these crowns is of esthetics and they are metal crowns and hence cannot be given in front teeth. But when you want high strength durable crowns for back teeth, stainless steel crowns are the best.

Zirconia crowns

Today due to various technological advancements, many esthetic crowns are available in the market. Unlike stainless steel crowns, they are made up of tooth coloured material and have the same strength as stainless steel crowns. These crowns are more durable than natural tooth layers and are resistant to plaque accumulation or any decay. Also these crowns are not capable of producing an allergic response when placed in the mouth.

These crowns are known as zirconia crowns. They are the same color as that of milk teeth. Zirconia means basically it’s made up of ceramic and is the same material which is used in adult teeth. So if your child has decay in front teeth or is being treated with root canal treatment, pediatric zirconia crown can provide excellent esthetics.

Resin crowns

These are also esthetic crowns which are prepared by your dentist. These crowns demand high skills and require more time to perform. They are highly esthetic but cannot be used for uncooperative children because of the sensitive skills required. They are a good way to be used in treatment for general anesthesia and are much more affordable than zirconia crowns. But the choice of crown to be used is mainly decided by your pediatric dentist. Dental crowns seem unnecessary for baby teeth but they help restore strength and functionality.

Visit Credence Dental today to get more information on types of dental crowns and what’s best for your child.

Our pediatric dentist provide the best dental consultation.

General and Preventive Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry

How often should children brush their teeth?

February 19, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

Children are in active mode from the moment they wake till the time they go back to their
pillows at night. With all of the activity they have going on routinely, often at times they start
cutting corners on certain parts of their health and wellness like brushing their teeth. The daily
bargain by kids of not brushing or only brushing once is usual in every household.

Here are some of the reason why kids don’t prefer to brush or just brush once a day

I am too busy in the morning – Mornings are never a very happy moment for kids as they
are sleepy, have a blur of activity, are busy finishing their breakfast or homework. For
other children just waking them up and getting them to reach school is itself a big chore.
But both these kinds of kids have 1 thing in common : they don’t make time to brush their
teeth.
After children get home from school they get busy with their friends, extra curricular
activities or their school work. Because of this they at times forget to brush their teeth.
For some kids, brushing their teeth is a chore. For some reason they just don’t like
brushing their teeth even a single time.
The next category of kids is the ones who say they forgot to brush their teeth. These are
the kids who don’t mind brushing their teeth but simply need prompting to make
brushing part of their routine

How Often Should Kids Brush Their Teeth?

When it comes to brushing , the general rule for children is the same as for adults. Twice a day,
first thing in the morning and just before going to bed at night. It is also recommended that every
child brushes their teeth for 2 to 3 minutes every time. Toothpaste is not like soap which will
lather by just applying it. It requires a technique to brush all teeth and remove the debris.

However we understand that it can be quite difficult to get your kids to brush their teeth twice a
day for that long. This is why it is important to make brushing a fun activity for kids. There are
many ways you can encourage your kids to brush their teeth.

Few activities which can be done for children include making a game out of brushing, or giving
them star stickers every time they brush their teeth. Children can also be shown educational
videos on phone or tv to make best use of the time.

The important point here is to start encouraging kids to practice good oral health early so that
these habits last for the rest of their lives. These regular brushing habits prevent children from
dental issues like tooth pain, cavities and plaque accumulation.

It has come to a conclusion that brushing teeth once a day is a poor choice for the health of the
child. So here are the ways in which you can reinforce the habit of brushing twice a day when
your child is hesitant.

When the child makes an excuse of being too busy in the morning, assist your child in
creating a new morning routine which gives them proper time to brush. At the end what
we need is just an extra 2 minutes for brushing properly. if your child takes those extra 5
minutes to just snooze the alarm and sleep , give the child some incentive to wake up on
time which in a way will give them time for brushing too.
If the child says they are too busy at night, just before the child goes to bed , make a habit
of checking their teeth, and you can get involved with the child by crushing them. This
way children get motivation to complete the task. Just stand in front of the mirror, play
some songs and do brushing with your child.
If the child says they don’t like brushing, allow the child to choose their own toothbrush
and toothpaste. This gives them ownership of small decisions which will make them
exciting for brushing.
If the child says i frog, help them make a new routine for themselves. Make a visual chart
and allow them to put stickers on it when they brush their teeth. After they have gained a
certain number of stars on their chart, give them a fun gift , which itself can reinforce the
habit and make it a daily routine.

Brushing ideally should take place in the morning after breakfast and in evening after dinner.
Morning brushing habits ensure that their breath is fresh and teeth are properly cleaned. Brushing
at night removes any sugar, acid or excess food from teeth and gums, aiding in good oral health
throughout the night. Pediatric dentists often use the phrase 2 by 2 during preventive visits to
remind children of the number of times they have to brush and for how long brushing is
mandatory.

Click here to know about the Different Brushing Techiniques for Children and how these would help you as parent to ensure your Child’s Dental hygiene is upto mark.

General and Preventive Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry

Brushing Techniques for Children

January 17, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

Brushing a child’s teeth or making children brush is the most tedious chore for any parent. At the
same time it’s the most important oral hygiene habit especially in growing age. As a parent it can
be challenging to help teach your child tooth brushing technique that works for them. To help
you out we have created simple guide to get your children for brushing their teeth regularly
without it feeling like a chore.

When to start Brushing your child’s teeth?

Good oral health habits should begin at an early age. Brushing your child’s teeth should begin
when their first tooth begins to come in or as directed by your pediatric dentist. Children need
help with brushing their teeth until they are 6-7 years of age. Even before your child actually has
teeth, it is important to perform oral health care. Use of damp washed cloth or a piece of gauze,
by gently rubbing it over infants gum helps in cleaning of gum pads. Also an infant’s mouth
should be cleaned after every feeding. This can be done by cradling head with one hand while
using free hand to wipe babies mouth with clean wet gauze.

General Brushing tips for children:

To brush an infant’s teeth, use a soft bristled, age appropriate toothbrush. Fluoridated toothpaste
if given at a smaller age, consult your pediatric dentist first for the exact amount of toothpaste to
be used.
For toddlers, just a smear layer of toothpaste is sufficient to use. For children below 3 years of
age use rice grain amount of toothpaste, whereas for children above 3 years of age use a pea size
amount of toothpaste.
Children aged 6-8 years are capable of brushing on their own. But still the brushing has to under
the supervision of parents if the child is unsure whether they have cleaned all areas of mouth.
Encourage children to brush their teeth at least twice a day , morning and night with a soft
bristled toothbrush. Hard bristles are too abrasive for young children.
If children are lazy enough to brush their teeth, battery powered toothbrushes can also be used
which can remove the sticky plaque from teeth easily.
Children’s toothbrushes have to be replaced every 3 to 4 months or sometimes sooner too if the
bristles get frayed. Also if your child has a recent cold or flu, it’s better to replace the toothbrush
to avoid reintroducing germs associated with those conditions.

Technique for brushing child’s teeth

As children cannot clean their teeth thoroughly, they need guidance. Hence parents have to
supervise children’s brushing until the age of 6-8 years.
Step 1: Brushing for kids has to be in a circular motion. Instead of just rubbing brush on teeth,
make them do circles on front and back teeth one at a time. Count the number of circles to 20
and see to it that circular motion is covering all teeth
Step 2: then angle toothbrush at 45 degrees towards the gum of upper and lower teeth and swipe
it
Step 3: tell the child to open their mouth and then the toothbrush should be moved gently in
back and forth motion with short strokes on back teeth
Step 4: the tip of the brush should be placed in upright position to reach behind front teeth on
top and bottom
Step 5: Brush the tongue to remove bacteria on the surface.

To get the children in routine brushing, brush your teeth at the same time as them so that they
learn by your example. This also helps to keep a check if children are using the correct brushing
technique.

Also you can have a check this way to see if your child is brushing the correct way.
The other way to get the child to brush is by playing their favorite song that they can listen to
while they brush. This way children will enjoy brushing and not think of it as a boring daily
chore.

Regular dental visits should usually start as early as six months or when a child’s first tooth
erupts or by child’s first birthday. When children are taught oral hygiene habits at an early age,
they are more likely to continue the same habit throughout adulthood. A healthy smile is a happy
smile, so help your kids to have the best possible smile by teaching them the importance of
brushing their teeth in the correct way.

Pediatric Dentistry

SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE – A BOON TO DENTISTRY

November 23, 2022 dev.abrar No Comments

Untreated dental cavities in kids are a serious dental problem that is faced by many parents. One in every five children has a problem with dental cavities. While we know the application of dental fluoride is a well-known preventive measure in children, it’s not the choice of treatment when there are deep cavities present.

Untreated dental decay extending in deeper layers of the tooth requires mechanical removal with hand instruments or drills. This lost tooth structure is restored using filling material.

But can we really follow all clinical steps and complete the treatment in uncooperative patients too?

Children with low cooperation levels need noninvasive intervention until a certain age, after which the drill and fill concept can be applied to them. Hence non-invasive interim intervention i.e. no drill concept is necessary for arresting dental cavities. One such intervention which has helped all Pediatric Dentist is the application of Silver Diamine fluoride (SDF)

What is SDF?

SDF is an inexpensive, non-invasive medicament that is applied topically. It is 38% SDF, a silver fluoride with the addition of ammonia. SDF has FDA and drug administration approval and can be used in arresting dental cavities

Is SDF effective?

SDF has been used internationally for decades to arrest caries in primary as well as permanent teeth. SDF is twice the strength of commercially available fluoride varnish hence proving to be effective means of arresting cavities.

Who is the right candidate for the application of SDF?

SDF has its main use in children and adolescents when patients co-operation for dental treatment is limited may be due to young age, situational anxiety, or developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Applying SDF will not restore the form and function of teeth like the traditional filling. It’s just a means to stop the decay process and prevent the child from developing any form of deeper cavities.

If the SDF application is done without a plan for future filing, it could provide a reservoir for exacerbation of the decay process via the food impaction in the cavity and thus increasing the

SDF has clinical utility in children and adolescents when patient cooperation for restorative dentistry is limited due to young age, situational anxiety, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Application of SDF does not restore form and function to teeth with dental caries as do traditional restorations.

The use of SDF without a plan for restoration of the decayed teeth could provide a reservoir for exacerbation of the caries process via food impaction in cavitated lesions and subsequent metabolism of fermentable carbohydrates to acid by cariogenic bacteria.

Also, if teeth are not restored with appropriate fillings it can lead to disturbance in the child’s bite relationship and jeopardize the space needed for permanent teeth to erupt. Hence the application of SDF IS not a replacement for the filling of a tooth. Rather it is an effective interim therapy that is used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan supervised by a dentist within a dental home.

Side effects of Using SDF?

SDF applied to any dental cavity or any tissue of mouth, lips or skin causes significant black staining due to the presence of Silver oxide. Staining of skin and oral mucosa tends to resolve within a few days as the cells present in the skin slough off. In contrast, any dental cavities treated with SDF remain permanently black which is a significant aesthetic problem, especially in anterior teeth

How does SDF work?

SDF works because Silver and fluoride can stop dental decay. Silver has antibacterial properties which makes it a perfect agent to stop decay. Fluoride increases the rate at which the tooth can be remineralized and it also increases resistance to harmful acids. Also, fluoride has antimicrobial properties

Benefits of SDF

Non-invasive – As treatment just required the application of the solution without drilling

Safe – It’s FDA approved and does not contain harmful agents

Cost-effective – Compared to invasive treatments, the cost of treatment is less

Quick – Treatment can be completed in a short time

SDF vs Drilling

SDF is the best alternative to filling cavities in small children. This is a non-invasive treatment that requires minimum time compared to the time needed for filling. The sound of the drill or its sensation can at times be scary for children and make them dislike dental clinics. So to avoid these factors, it’s always better to use a non-invasive procedure for the start and later move with the invasive part.

Talk with your Pediatric Dentist today for more details on SDF.

Call us or Whatsapp us at +91-9141160212 to book an appointment today! or just drop into our Dental Clinic at RR Nagar in Bangalore

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