General dentistry

WHO IS A PAEDIATRIC DENTIST?

Dedicated oral healthcare is provided for children by a paediatric dentist starting from infancy to teenage. At Sparks Dental and Cosmetic Clinic a variety of treatments are provided for infants, children and teens not excluding children with special needs. Pediatric dentistry is also known as pedodontics and is a branch of medicine that treats children from their birth to their adolescence.

Types of treatments
  • Oral examinations for infants including assessing the risk of dental caries both in the mother and the child
  • Counselling – Counselling children for change of habits such as using pacifiers and thumb-sucking
  • Preventive health care – Prevention of oral diseases by way of cleaning teeth and providing fluoride treatments
  • Nutritional care and dietary recommendations
  • Rectifying improper bites
  • Treatment for straightening of teeth
  • Diagnosing oral conditions relating to diseases such as diabetes, asthma, attention deficit disorders, congenital heart defects, hyperactivity disorder and much more
  • Treatment of dental trauma and injuries such as fractured teeth and displaced teeth

Paediatric Dentists at Sparks Dental and Cosmetic Clinic in Anna Nagar provide one of the best care for children. Children can get impatient during a dental exam. The dentists know how to handle impatient children and make them comfortable during their assessment.

Paediatric dentists are proven educational resources to parents and it is strongly recommended that children have an oral examination at least once in six months to determine their oral health. Aberrant habits can be recognized early to be modified effectively.

Child psychology is considered as one of the most important components of paediatric dentistry. Paediatric dentists at Sparks Dental and Cosmetic Clinic educate the child through fun, social and friendly atmosphere and avoid usage of threatening words. The childrens’ experiences are always positive at Sparks Dental and Cosmetic Clinic.

IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY TEETH

Primary teeth also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth (more commonly) start to develop during the second trimester right beneath the gums. These emerge above the gums six months to a year after birth. A set of 20 baby teeth appear for preschool children which are inclusive of the four molars on the arches.

Development and presence of primary teeth are of utmost importance to the future of the child’s oral health. Sparks Cosmetic and Dental Centre recommends baby teeth checkups every six months at our clinic with the emergence of milk teeth.

Functions of primary teeth

Oral health

Decay of primary teeth indicate the advent of childhood periodontal disease. Bacteria invade the gums, eroding gums, ligaments and bone. Primary teeth are at a danger of dropping out completely resulting in spacing problems of permanent teeth. Guided routine oral care on a daily basis is essential for healthy growth of teeth.

Speech

Cognitive and emotional development is associated with clear speech. When primary teeth are properly positioned it facilitates accurate pronunciation of syllables and prevents straying of tongue during formative speech.

Nutrition

Dietary deficiencies are closely affiliated to irregular or decay of primary teeth. Proper chewing movements are acquired with practice and with the presence of healthy primary teeth. Good chewing habits are promoted with nutritious food.

Overview of teething

Eruption of teeth can be sensitive and uncomfortable for infants especially with the large molars erupt and even as they slice through the tissues of the gum.

Some of the signs and symptoms of teething
  • Decreased sleep
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive drooling
  • Sore gums and refusal to eat
  • Intermittent fussiness
  • Contacting mouth and hands frequently

Fever, colds and diarrhoea are also some common symptoms that are experienced during teething. But these symptoms are also associated with viral fever. Sparks Cosmetic and Dental Centre in Anna nagar, recommends a thorough dental check up to diagnose if the characteristic signs and symptoms correspond to teething.

CHILD TEETH CYCLE

Baby’s teeth begin to erupt around 3 month’s after conception. Around 20 primary teeth begin to form immediately after birth and appear into the mouth of the child around 6 to 14 months. These are either the bottom front teeth in the centre or the top front teeth called incisors. Teeth then start filling in slowly in pairs on the upper and lower side of the jaw. By the time the child is 2 and a half to 3 years of age, all 20 teeth 10 upper and 10 lower would have appeared. A full set of primary teeth formulate in the mouth by about 6 to 7 years.

Primary teeth eruption:
  • 4 teeth emerge at every 6 months
  • Lower teeth are generally the first to emerge
  • Teeth generally erupt in pairs
  • Teeth eruption in girls is usually faster than those of boys
  • Primary teeth are milk white in colour and small in size
  • Primary teeth fully erupt by 3 years of age.

Jaw and facial bones begin to grow after 4 years of age creating space between primary teeth. This natural process of growth allows permanent teeth to erupt in these spaces. Both permanent teeth and primary teeth take their places in the mouth between 6 and 12 years of age. When the child reaches 13 years of age 28 permanent teeth are already in place. The wisdom teeth also known as third molars appear between 17 and 21 years of age. At this juncture, a total growth of 32 teeth are achieved.

Primary teeth play a crucial role in:
  • Creating space for permanent teeth
  • Normal facial appearance
  • Developing clarity in speech
  • A healthy beginning for the permanent teeth
The eruption charts are as follows:

COMMON PAEDIATRIC ORAL AND DENTAL PROBLEMS

There are several problems that might affect the dental and oral health of infants and children. Sparks Cosmetic and Dental Centre, Anna Nagar can treat the following problems:

Tooth decay

The most primary amongt children, tooth decay or caries is a disease that is preventable and is caused due to bacteria living in the mouth. The predominant cause of tooth decay is soft drinks, juices, cookies, candies, chocolates and other carbohydrate-rich foods. Such food deposits connect with the bacteria in the mouth and form plaque. As plaque forms acid, it is instrumental in damaging the mineral structure of teeth, causing decay.

Thumbsucking

Thumb-sucking and lower lip sucking are relative to each other. It is a comforting aspect of childhood and can start as early as in the womb. It is a natural habit and provides a sense of relaxation. Most children outgrow the habit but can continue through the eruption of permanent teeth. Sparks Cosmetic and Dental Clinic, Anna Nagar, works with you and your child to eliminate the habit.

Sensitive teeth

Children experience discomfort when consuming hot or cold beverages. The enamel is worn, gums recede and teeth develop minute cracks. This exposes the interior of the teeth causing sensitivity and irritation at the nerve endings. For extremely sensitive teeth, breathing cold air can also be sensitive. Sparks Cosmetic and Dental Clinic prescribe fluoride treatments, desensitizing toothpastes and night guards to relieve sensitivity.

Bad breath

A major cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene, dry mouth and gum problems. Digestive problems and sinusitis can also cause bad breath.

Gum disease

Gum disease also known as gingivitis is inflammation of gum tissue often due to poor dental and oral hygiene accumulating plaque which progresses into tooth loss and eventually bone damage. Some indicators of bad breath are bleeding gums, bad taste in the mouth and bad breath.

Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism which is an involuntary habit. It is usual during the developmental stages of childhood and the habit is eliminated as the child grows older.

Aphthous ulcers or Canker sores

Tiny sores with red border and white and gray base are formed in the mouth and last for about one to two weeks. Sparks Cosmetic and Dental Clinic prescribe topical agents and anti-microbial mouthwash for treatment.

Orthodontic problems

A bite disorder (malocclusion) either acquired or inherited and causes are misaligned jaws, missing teeth, extra teeth or crowded teeth. Even finger sucking and thumb sucking, developmental issues and accidents cause malocclusion.

Practice Hours

Monday to Saturday

09:00 AM to 08:00 PM

Sparks Dental Centre

  • Spark Dental Centre
    AP-732, G-Block 2nd Street, 11th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600040. Opposite To Tamil Nadu Reserve Forest Dept
  • +91-44-42123262, +91-6379749959
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