Pediatric Dentistry

It is a very gentle method of treatment which aims to make a visit to the dentist a more comfortable experience for your children. We have purpose built area specifically designed to make your children feel relaxed and at ease.

Care 32 Dental Centre is dedicated to encouraging as many children as we can reach, to adopt good habits in dental hygiene. To this end, we offer reduced fee dental services to underprivileged children. We do our utmost to create an atmosphere of positive reinforcement making the children as comfortable as possible throughout their visit. Although the centre would like to offer its services as broadly as possible, it is necessary to establish eligibility guidelines pertaining to prospective patients.

Children's Teeth

They begin forming before they are even born. The first primary or baby teeth, to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors. These are followed closely by the upper central incisors which come through around 6 to 7 months after birth. Although all 20 primary teeth have usually appeared by the time the child reaches 3 years old, the pace and order of eruption varies from child to child.

Oral care should begin soon after birth. Gums should be cleaned after each feeding. You should begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as they appear.

Permanent teeth start to come through around the age of 6. This begins with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until approximately age 21.

Adults have 28 permanent teeth or up to 32 including the third molars (Wisdom Teeth).

You should always clean your infant's gums after feeding. Gums should be wiped with a clean, damp cloth or gauze pad. Parents should brush children's teeth daily with a soft wet toothbrush and a pea sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste followed by tongue cleaning. Schedule a dental visit between 6 - 12 months of age. When children are very young it is necessary to supervise their brushing to ensure proper brushing habits are adopted.

Your dentist will probably recommend regular fluoride treatments which will strengthen enamel and help your child's teeth resist decay. To prevent your child suffering from nursing bottle mouth, you must give your baby a bottle at nap or bed time. Fill the bottle with plain water and not milk, formula or juice.

Dental sealants can provide a further layer of protection against cavities. They are plastic coatings which are painted onto the grooved chewing surfaces at the back of the teeth.

Dental Sealants - Preventing Decay in Back Teeth:

They are a great form of preventive treatment, as they dramatically reduce cavities in back teeth (Molars). Permanent molars tend to have deep grooves and pits, in which food and bacteria collect. Leaving this accumulation in the grooves will lead to tooth decay. It is important to seal permanent molars soon after they erupt, usually between 6 and 7 years of age. Placement of sealants is a painless process for your child. The grooves of the tooth are thoroughly cleaned under magnification and a solution is placed on the tooth to increase the bond. The sealant material is then placed into the grooves of the tooth, drastically reducing the chance that the tooth will develop a cavity.

Restorative Dentistry - Back Teeth:

For small or medium sized cavities in permanent or primary teeth, we place a variety of tooth coloured, resin (Plastic) filling materials. The resin materials we use today are bonded to the tooth which increases adhesion of the filling material to the tooth as well as strengthening the decayed tooth. We use a variety of resin filling materials so that we can match the right material, properties and color to each tooth. Our goal is to not only provide an excellent esthetic result but also a strong functional filling.

Restorative Dentistry - Front Teeth:

In many cases, we provide care for children who are affected by early childhood tooth decay, a very aggressive form of decay that will rapidly consume a child's teeth unless treated quickly and aggressively. Repair of these teeth, with resin (Plastic) bonded crowns, is important so that this child can eat and speak normally.

Restorative Dentistry - Large Cavities in Back Teeth:

We provide care for children who often have very large cavities in one or more of their primary (Baby Teeth) molars. Treating these cavities with large plastic fillings, although cheaper initially, will ultimately lead to failure and a need to retreat. In the long run, this is more expensive for you and more difficult for your child. The alternative is to place stainless steel crowns on teeth which have cavities too large for fillings. Although they are not esthetic, as they are made with surgical grade stainless steel, they are very functional and durable, lasting until the primary molar is replaced by the permanent tooth.

Restorative Dentistry - Poor Choices to be Avoided:

Our goal is to provide your child with treatment which is both scientifically proven and which will, based on our years of experience and specialty training, give your child exceptional service.

FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions. If you need more information, kindly email us at contact@care32dentalcentre.com or call us at +91 98984 24488.

What should I Use to Clean my Baby's Teeth?

A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime.

When should I Take my Child to the Dentist for the First Checkup?

In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than his/her first birthday.

What is the Difference Between a Pediatric Dentist and a Family Dentist?

A pediatric dentist has 2 to 3 years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.

Are Baby Teeth Really that Important to my Child?

Primary or 'baby' teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.

What should I Do if my Child has a Toothache?

First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Give the child acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth or gums. Finally, see a dentist as soon as possible.

Are Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Habits Harmful for a Child's Teeth?

Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers when the permanent teeth arrive, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.

How can I Prevent Decay Caused by Nursing?

Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. Also, learn the proper way to brush and floss your child's teeth. Take your child to a dentist regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked. The first dental visit should be scheduled by your child's first birthday.

How Often does my Child Need to See the Pediatric Dentist?

A checkup every 6 months is recommended in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.

Toothpaste - When should we Begin Using it and how Much should we Use?

Fluoridated toothpaste should be introduced when a child is 2 - 3 years of age. Prior to that, parents should clean the child's teeth with water and a soft bristled toothbrush. When toothpaste is used after age 2 - 3, parents should supervise brushing and make sure the child uses no more than a pea sized amount on the brush. Children should spit out excess toothpaste after brushing, not swallow it.

How do I Make my Child's Diet Safe for his/her Teeth?

Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including 1 serving each of - fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals and milk and dairy products. Limiting the servings of sugars and starches will also aid in protecting your child's teeth from decay. You can also ask your pediatric dentist to help you select foods that protect your children's teeth.

How do Dental Sealants Work?

Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

How do I Know if my Child is Getting Enough Fluoride?

Have your pediatric dentist evaluate the fluoride level of your child's primary source of drinking water. If your child is not getting enough fluoride internally through water (Especially if the Fluoride Level is Deficient or if your Child Drinks Bottled Water Without Added Fluoride), then your pediatric dentist will prescribe fluoride supplements.

What can I Do to Protect my Child's Teeth During Sporting Events?

Soft plastic mouth guards can be used to protect a child's teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from sport related injuries. A mouth guard purchased in a sporting goods store will help prevent injuries to the teeth. A custom fitted mouth guards developed by a pediatric dentist will protect your child from injuries to the teeth, face and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head.

What should I Do if my Child Falls and Knocks Out a Permanent Tooth?

The most important thing to do is to remain calm. Then find the tooth. Hold it by the crown rather than the root and try to reinsert it in the socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a glass of milk and take your child and the glass immediately to the pediatric dentist.

How Safe are Dental X rays?

There is very little risk in dental X rays. Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.

How can Parents Help Prevent Tooth Decay?

Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth. Then, the dentist can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing and other treatments for parents to supervise and teach to their children. These home treatments, when added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, will help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.