Pediatric Dentistry in Buffalo, NY
Amherst Dentist Providing Affordable Dental Exams, Teeth Cleaning, and Pediatric Dentistry for Children Throughout WNY
Deciduous teeth, more commonly known as baby teeth, may only last a few years before they fall out, but they require close monitoring to ensure they erupt (grow in) appropriately and remain strong until the permanent teeth have developed. Children often experience greater difficulty dealing with the pain and irritation that come with cavities and periodontal disease, so pediatric dental screenings and twice-yearly tooth cleanings can help prevent the consequences of dental issues.
Visits to doctors may make children feel worried. After all, pediatric medical care can involve receiving shots and intrusive tests while sitting in a cold, sterile room. At our practice, though, we take our younger patients’ needs into account and strive to make them feel relaxed and safe as we administer pediatric dental treatments. Though children can face many of the same dental problems as adults, they may need to trust their dentist before agreeing to a cleaning. Parents can prepare their children for visits to the dentist by explaining what a dental cleaning entails, and our office can use visual aids to show children every step of the dental procedures. Building a relationship with the dentist will both make the child feel more comfortable and allow the dentist to work more easily.
Baby teeth fall out as fully formed permanent teeth slowly move toward the gum line, pushing against the roots of the deciduous teeth. This process can prove far more complicated than it should be when certain conditions are present; if the baby teeth have improper spacing or if the child’s gums are not healthy, the permanent teeth may grow in at the wrong angle, or they may be otherwise weakened or discolored. Proper dental care beginning at a young age can slowly but surely guide permanent teeth into the correct positions, sparing children the potential need for orthodontic measures, such as braces, during pre-adolescence.
As we all know, our baby teeth do not fall out all at once. What happens instead is a gradual, roughly six-year-long process that starts in elementary school and ends before freshman year. First, the incisors (the front teeth) are lost, the canines follow, and the premolars finally fall out, all as two molars gently grow in towards the rear of the mouth. Though this process has its benefits—it prevents children from having to rely solely on their gums to break down food after infancy—it does mean that children’s mouths remain a mix of baby and adult teeth for more than half a decade. As such, care must be taken to maintain the health of both types of teeth; the goal is to protect the newly erupted permanent teeth and to promote the health of the baby teeth until they fall out.
It is of particular importance to tend to children’s premolars, as their ridged surfaces are harder to clean, less visible, and often breeding grounds for bacteria. To preserve the health of these teeth, which naturally have thinner enamel than adult teeth, ask our office about dental sealants, which can be applied to cover the teeth and help prevent infection.
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