Straightforward pediatric dental care terminology just isn't something a good number of parents put on their Christmas Wish List, nor is it often something they examine when reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Kid dental care is just like grownup dental treatments, right? You arrive, get your teeth cleaned and x-rayed, the dental practitioner will come in to do the examination and resolve any complications. Right?
Fundamental differences concerning kid dentistry and adult dental care lie in the indisputable fact that children’s teeth are still developing. They need additional care because choices made in their early years have an effect on permanent teeth for a lifetime. There are many pediatric dental treatments which you might find confusing, as these terms could be unfamiliar or differ from comparable adult procedures. Understanding these kid dental terms and conditions can help you better understand what is happening in the pediatric dentist’s office while you visit with your little one.
Guide to Kid Dental Terms
Abscess- a kid dental condition referenced by your dentist as an abscess explains an infected tooth or part of the gum inside of your kid's mouth. Many abscesses are engorged, puss-filled areas which can be painful or warm to touch. An abscess can also be an indication of a second infection elsewhere in your child’s mouth.
Rubber Dam- if your youngster has sealants placed, or repaired, cavities filled, or any other repair work finished during his or her visit to the child dental professional, you may be told that a rubber dam will be used. This flexible sheet is placed over your child’s mouth to separate the area to be worked on. It will help establish a clean setting, free from extra saliva, for the dentist or hygienist to be effective. It also serves as a barrier to guard your child from consuming loose materials through treatments.
Primary Dentition- this familiar dental term is the word for your child’s first set of teeth, or infant teeth. There are usually Twenty teeth as part of the primary dentition, and they usually begin to emerge at about 6 months of age. These teeth shall be substituted by secondary dentition down the road.
Space Maintainer (or spacer)- it is a dental device used to protect against teeth from shifting into an open space when a toddler tooth is lost ahead of time. These space maintainers can also be placed in preparation for other orthopedic devices.
Bottle Carries- teeth cavities caused from putting a toddler to bed with their bottle of milk or juice are referred to as bottle carries. This dental term might also apply to breastfed babies if the teeth aren't brushed after eating, resulting in the formation of tooth decay in an infant’s dentition.
Filling- a pediatric dental filling is a dentistry technique to treat oral cavities or carries. Many dentists may follow a “wait and watch” way of thinking when it comes to cavities in toddler teeth, opting to avoid placing fillings whenever possible.
If your kid's child dental practitioner uses a term that you're not familiar with, don’t hesitate to speak up and request clarification. Your dental care staff utilizes these terms every day and often it’s very easy to forget that not everybody is as knowledgeable about the terms, and additional teaching might be necessary. Your kid dentist wants you to discover how to care for your child’s teeth, and knowing pediatric dental phrases and their meanings is a valuable part of this process.
Learn about kids dental care in Portland and orthodontics from pediatric dentists on Portland, Oregon. Dr. Mark Mutschler and his staff provide expert information about orthodontic and pediatric dental care to help parents, kids and teens better maintain healthy teeth and gums.
