Pediatric Dentistry
Receiving high-quality dental care is crucial for children's oral health, and we are dedicated to providing excellent pediatric dental services in the community.
Your Pediatric Dentist in Birmingham, AL
Maintaining positive dental health and a great-looking smile is a process that starts early in life. Young people need to take precautions just as older people do to prevent serious conditions.
We feature a top-notch pediatric dentistry program that helps children and parents understand how to prevent serious oral health problems and issues. Children and teens who make regular dental visits during their younger years are much more likely to maintain strong and healthy teeth throughout their lives. We ensure every child feels relaxed, comfortable, and excited for their next visit. Our lobby features refreshments for kids as they wait for their appointment, TVs to entertain them during the visit, and extended hours to make arranging an appointment that works with school and other activities easier.
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What does pediatric dentistry include?
Pediatric dentistry includes using sealants to help prevent cavities and tooth decay on a child’s back molars. This proven preventive treatment works by applying a thin acrylic coating over the teeth and allowing them to harden. This coating removes unwanted bacteria and plaque, which could otherwise harm the teeth.
Additionally, using fluoride applications to strengthen your child’s tooth enamel is extremely helpful in preventing decay. This involves applying fluoride directly to the teeth. It will bond with the enamel, help keep teeth strong and healthy, and even reverse decay.
Pediatric Dental Care: Starting Your Child Off on the Right Tooth -
What is a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists are dedicated to children’s oral health from infancy through adolescence. They have the experience and qualifications to care for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout childhood. Pediatric dentists complete at least four years of dental school and two additional years of residency training in dentistry for infants, children, teens, and children with special needs.
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What are the common issues of dental health in children?
The common dental health issues in children are often similar to those affecting adults. However, because children’s teeth are still developing, untreated dental conditions can result in poor and misaligned tooth development, potentially leading to more serious problems as the child grows up.
Some of the most common issues with children are:
- Tooth decay
- Bad breath
- Sensitive teeth
- Thumb-sucking
- Gum disease
- Teeth grinding
- Canker sores
- Baby teeth-loss
- Over-retained primary teeth
- Dental Anxiety
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What is pulp therapy?
Pulp therapy is a dental treatment that addresses damage to the interior living part of the tooth, known as the ‘pulp’. If your child experiences tooth sensitivity, constant pain, or swollen and painful tissue around a tooth, they may have pulp damage. This damage can be caused by trauma, decay, or infection.
When the pulp is damaged, the goal is to retain as much of the living pulp as possible while treating any infection or removing damaged sections. One common procedure to achieve this is a pulpotomy, which involves removing the damaged tip of the pulp while preserving the healthy root. After removing the decay, a protective material is placed over the remaining pulp, followed by the placement of a crown. Saving the pulp increases the chances of the child developing a healthy adult tooth.
A pulpectomy is performed if the damage has extended into the tooth root. This involves removing the living material and filling the space, similar to an adult root canal. A crown is then placed to assist with spacing when the adult tooth is ready to come in.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about pediatric dentistry, contact our office using the buttons below.
