Pediatric dentistry/Children’s dentistry
Children should also go to the dentist, especially children. Children’s teeth are not yet fully mineralized. Not yet cured. Therefore much more susceptible and sensitive to external factors such as bacteria and acids. It is very important to keep the temporary teeth intact as long as possible. It retains the space for the permanent teeth. Loss always leads to a lack of space and makes orthodontic intervention, by means of a brace, necessary. We also can discover defects in the construction of the enamel in a timely manner and whether or not all elements are present. It is important that we are able to give timely advice about nutrition and about ways to keep the dentition clean.
Unfortunately, we still see the so-called "nursing bottle caries". Children who are send to bed with a bottle with sweet content, so they will sleep easier. This with a devastating result. A bottle of milk has the same effect.
Unfortunately parents will often leave the cleaning of the dentition too early to the resposibility of the child. We help the children to become aware of their teeth and support the parents if necessary.
Contact Dental Practice de ZuidAs for more information about Pediatric dentistry.
The first visit
We often get the question: when, at what age? Around the age of 3 years is considered safe. You can not start early enough. It is important that the child gets used to the dentist, the environment. We must prevent at all times that the first contact with the dentist is out of necessity. The association of the dentist visit with pain should be avoided at all times. Every day we see older patients, who have a fear of the dentist, caused by a traumatic first dentist visit in a distant past. It is useful to take the child with to your own control appointment. In a playful way we start with counting the childs teeth.
The dentist
Treating children is an art. Fortunately, every dentistry student will follow a special training program for treating children during their study. That does not automatically mean that every dentist will be a good pediatric dentist.
As a dentist you have to like working with children, take the time and build a relationship of trust. It requires a different way of communicating. There is no place for frustration. The dentist should never be in a hurry and certainly not be sales driven. The dentist should be prepared to postpone a treatment if he or she finds that the child is not ready.
We may ask the parent to stay in the waiting area during treatment. We sometimes see that a parent projects his or her fear of the dentist onto the child and thereby affect the treatment negatively.
If a child is too extensive to be covered, whereby treatment is likely to be too stressful or if a child is untreatable, then we can forward the child to a special treatment department for pediatric dentistry.
The prevention Assistant
The prevention assistant is called in to ensure that habituation goes smoothly and to make the child aware of the teeth. She teaches the child how to brush and cleans the teeth. By means of a red dye, which colors plaque and food scraps, she shows where there is better cleaning necessary. She will also involve the parents in checking and keeping the teeth clean.
Costs
Pediatric Dentistry is normally included in the basic insurance package and the costs are reimbursed extensively up to the age of 18. Please always check with your insurer.
Contact Dental Practice de ZuidAs for more information about Pediatric dentistry.