Just like the name suggests, a Pediatric Dentist is a dentist who specializes in the care and preservation of children’s teeth. Pediatric Dentists are put through a specialized curriculum and additional training on top of their already rigorous education. This additional education provides a better understanding of the oral health of children. A Pediatric Dentist is best qualified to meet the constantly changing and developing dental needs of infants, children and adolescents as well as those of children with special needs.

Baby teeth, or primary teeth serve many purposes. They are the natural place-holders for your child’s permanent teeth, meaning that if they come out prematurely, the development and eruption of your child’s permanent teeth can be hindered. The space left behind by prematurely removed primary teeth can lead other primary teeth to drift into the open space left behind, causing something of a traffic jam for the impending permanent teeth. This will increase the probability of orthodontic procedures later in your child’s life. Primary teeth also promote proper nutrition, as they aid your child in biting and chewing his/her food.

Your child’s teeth began forming after birth. At around 4 months, the first baby teeth to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors. They are usually followed by the upper central incisors. Typically, all 20 baby teeth have appeared by age 3, but the pace and order of these eruptions varies from child to child. Permanent teeth begin to appear around age 6 and the process continues until around age 21.

Tooth Grinding (Bruxism) is common in children under 7 years old. When a child is young, before permanent teeth are present, their bites are flexible and change as they grow and develop. Children may grind their teeth because of an abnormal bite or placement of teeth. Typically, around the age of 6, permanent molars erupt and the permanent bite begins to establish. When this happens, tooth grinding tends to subside. In middle school and high school-aged children, stress-related tooth grinding is common, especially during testing or final exams. Kiddsmiles monitors children’s bite as well as chipping and wear patterns on their teeth. In the case of Bruxism, Dr. Kaider may recommend treatment or a mouthguard if appropriate.

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for children. Sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world. Young children may also suck to soothe themselves and help them fall asleep. After permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth. Pacifiers can affect the teeth essentially the same ways as sucking fingers and thumbs, but it is often an easier habit to break.The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumb-suckers may develop problems with their baby teeth.

The pulp in your child’s teeth is the tissue, nerves and blood vessels filling the interior cavity and root canals of a tooth.  The function of the pulp is to provide a blood supply with oxygen and nutrients for the tooth. Teeth affected by caries, traumatic injury, or other causes can lead to pulp exposure, pain, and inflammation.  When this occurs the primary objective of pulp therapy is to maintain the integrity and health of the tooth and the supporting tissues. This is especially important in young permanent teeth with immature roots, the pulp is integral to the normal development of the apex of the root of a tooth.

dentist with additional training, who specializes in aligning and straightening teeth. The best time for your child to get dental braces depends on the severity and the cause of the misalignment of your child’s teeth. Traditionally, treatment with dental braces begins when a child has lost most of his or her baby (primary) teeth, and a majority of his or her adult (permanent) teeth have grown in — usually between the ages of 8 and 14. Some orthodontists recommend what’s called an interceptive approach, which involves the use of dental appliances — not always dental braces — at an earlier age, while a child still has most of his or her baby teeth. Then, when a child has most of his or her adult teeth, a second phase of treatment is started — usually with dental braces. This second phase is thought by some to be shorter than a traditional course of braces if an early treatment has been performed. Orthodontists who favor the traditional approach say that a two-phase approach to treatment actually increases the total time — and sometimes the expense — of orthodontic treatment with generally similar results. However, other orthodontists believe guidance of growth using dental appliances before the second phase of treatment makes correction easier. The best choice for you and your child will largely depend on the severity of your child’s dental problems. Talk with your child’s dentist or orthodontist about the best course of action.

We are often asked about kids growing teeth behind their baby teeth. This occurs because the permanent teeth form behind the roots of the baby teeth and sometimes they grow behind the baby tooth before it falls out. When this occurs most of the time no treatment is needed, nature usually takes care of the situation, but occasionally the baby tooth does have to be extracted (pulled). If your child has a permanent tooth growing behind the baby tooth do not panic, be patient; at the next regular check-up visit, an x-ray may be necessary to determine if any treatment is needed, if you are too concerned to wait for the regular check-up call and make an appointment for a quick check of the situation.