What Make a Pediatric Dentist Different from a General Dentist?
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry and pedodontics are the formal terms that describe child dentistry. The American Dental Association recognizes pediatric dentistry as a dental specialty. Only certified dentists can take up the title of “Pediatric Dentist” or “Pedodontist.”
What Make a Pediatric Dentist Different from a General Dentist?
In addition to the standard four-year degree in dentistry (DDS, BDS, or DMD), a pedodontist must complete an additional two to three years of training. The training is a specialty course. It focuses on issues that are unique to children’s dental and oral care. The studies include jaw and tooth development and how to care for infants, children, adolescents, and children with special needs. Pediatric dentists provide the same cleaning and checkups that adults get. They also provide education and guidance on proper oral hygiene habits, nutrition, and diet recommendations. A general or family dentist can offer dental care to children. What sets pediatric dentists apart is their extensive training on dental issues that are specific to tooth development. A pedodontist’s practice a child-friendly nature. The examination rooms and waiting bays are colorful with bright colors and intricate murals. There are toys and games to welcome the young patients.
Most pediatric dentists pursue the specialty because they enjoy working with kids. They have the temperament, patience, and personality to make dental visits stress free for the children.
The child-friendly dentist could have a significant impact on the development of a kid. Building trust with the child will encourage the kid to embrace dental health in the future.
Dr. Rassa Abdoll of the Center for Pediatric Dentistry attained his degree from the University of Maryland. He earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD) from Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He completed his post-doctoral training in Pediatric Dentistry from the U.S Air Force. Dr. Abdoll has many years of experience. He cares for children of all ages, including children with special needs.
What Age Should My Child See the Dentist?
Should you wait until all the teeth sprout? Should you wait until there is a dental problem?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend a child’s first visit to be as soon as the first tooth erupts. The first visit is to familiarize the child with the dentist’s office, the staff, and equipment.
At the Center for Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that children come every six months after the first visit. There are times when unique issues arise that require a dentist’s attention. Issues like feeding problems, mouth breathing, the development of a lisp, or teeth grinding. Bring in the patient for Dr. Abdoll will be ready to treat your child.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
At the Center for Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that you schedule an appointment as soon as the first set of teeth erupt. The first visit isn’t for any real work. The visit is all about introducing your child to the dentist’s office. It’s about allowing your kid to explore the dental equipment, sit on the dentist’s chair, and familiarize the child with the staff.
Only after the child is comfortable around the dentist, Dr. Abdoll will take a peek into the baby’s mouth.
We set out to accomplish three things with the first visit. First, we familiarize your kid with the staff and office environment. We aim to build trust with the child and eliminate dental anxiety.
The second mission is to introduce the child to the dental equipment. We show and explain the uses of our tools in a child-friendly language.
When the child is comfortable enough, Dr. Abdoll will proceed to the examination. Here, Dr. Abdoll is looking for tooth decay. He will also check the child’s gums, bite, and jaw. We keep an eye out for bottle caries, frenum issues, and problems that may affect speech patterns or tooth development.
To conclude your visit, Dr. Abdoll will advise you on proper oral hygiene habits and answer any questions that you may have.
We recommend regular visits every six months after your first visit. When your child is three years of age, he or she can have a full dental appointment. At the age of five, we can take X-rays.
Dental Sedation for Children
Specific dental procedures require anesthesia to help dull possible pain. Local anesthesia is the most common form of anesthesia in our dental practice. Local anesthesia does not put patients to sleep. Instead, it numbs part or all of the mouth during a dental procedure.
On certain occasions, there is a need for general (full) anesthesia. On these occasions, the drugs cause a temporary loss of consciousness. General anesthesia may be necessary for procedures like wisdom tooth extractions. In such circumstances, we always have our certified anesthesiologist on site.
There are three types of dental sedation for kids.
Oral Sedation: The patient receives this type of sedation through the mouth or nose. It takes about 20 minutes for the sedative to kick in. For this reason, we administer the sedative as soon as the patient arrives.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): Nitrous oxide helps our young patients to stay calm. We install a mask that delivers a mixture of the laughing gas and oxygen to the patient. Nitrous oxide sedates the patient and induces a feeling of euphoria. Laughing gas only takes about five minutes to take effect.
Intravenous Sedation: We administer the sedative with a needle through the patient’s veins. We use nitrous oxide to put the child to sleep before we insert the needle. Usually, we rely upon the vein on the back of the child’s hand.
It’s helpful to explain to your child what is about to happen and what they should expect. In some cases, it may be essential to restrict food and drink before sedation. Sedation may induce stomach upsets or vomiting. It is also necessary for you to provide a full medical history of your child.
As a parent, you play a significant role in relaxing the child. You can help your child remain calm by encouraging the toddle or holding his or her hand. A comfort item could also prove helpful. The item could be a favorite toy.
When it comes to dental sedation for children, safety is a top priority. Dr. Abdoll is keen to monitor the patient’s vital signs during dental works.
Dental Care for Infants
Your infant may not have teeth yet, but oral hygiene is essential. Getting a baby used to good oral hygiene habits could prevent cavities in the future.
Cleaning the gums after feeding will eliminate bacteria and sugar from the mouth. You do not have to use a toothbrush or toothpaste at this point. Wrap a clean piece of cloth around your finger, damp the fabric, and gently rub against the gums.
Once the first set of teeth erupt, break out a soft-bristled toothbrush and some mild toothpaste. Instill in your child good oral hygiene habits. Encourage the child to brush their teeth twice a day. Once the rest of the teeth sprout, you can introduce the child to flossing. Healthy baby teeth hold the space for the permanent teeth. They also help the child learn how to chew and pronounce words correctly.
Dr. Abdoll of the Centre for Pediatric Dentistry sees children of all ages, including kids with special needs. He can provide dental care for newborns with feeding problems and babies who develop a lisp. The doctor works with pediatricians to provide comprehensive care. He also offers in-office frenectomies.
Tongue-Ties and Frenectomies
During fetal development, the lingua frenulum holds the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The lingual frenulum is a short tight band of tissue. Before birth, the lingua frenulum separates and setting the tongue free. Some times the separation fails, causing a tongue-tie.
A tongue-tie is a condition that restricts the tongue’s motion. This condition is present at birth, and the medical community refers to the condition as Ankyloglossia.
With cases of tongue-ties (Ankyloglossia), the lingual frenulum tethers the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Ankyloglossia interferes with breastfeeding, speech patterns, and swallowing.
Symptoms of Ankyloglossia
The signs and symptoms of tongue-tie include:
Difficulty in lifting the tongue. Strain while moving the tongue from side to side
Trouble sticking out the tongue past the mouth
While sticking out the tongue, it appears like a heart shape.
We recommend that you see a doctor if you suspect your child has Ankyloglossia. If left unattended, the condition will affect your child’s speech patterns as they grow up.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of tongue-tie is through a physical exam. The doctor is looking for the lingual frenulum tethering. For infants, Dr. Abdoll uses a screening tool to evaluate various aspects of the tongue’s appearance.
Treatment
Some doctors recommend surgery right away- even before the hospital discharges a newborn. Other doctors recommend the wait-and-see approach. In some cases, the lingual frenulum may loosen and separate over time. In other cases, the tongue-tie may persist without causing issues.
Treatment is available to adults, infants, and children if the condition causes problems. Treatment of Ankyloglossia is possible through surgical procedures like frenectomies.
Frenectomy
A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that may or may not require anesthesia. Usually, the doctor examines the lingual frenulum then uses a pair of sterile scissors to snip the tissue.
At the Center for Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in accuracy and precision. Our in-office frenectomies employ the use of a state of the art dental laser. The dental laser is safer, faster, and more precise than traditional methods.
Book your laser-guided frenectomy today!
Orthodontics for Kids
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the prevention and treatment of facial, bite, and jaw irregularities.
Interceptive orthodontics is the orthodontic treatment in young kids. Interceptive orthodontics can begin as early as 6 or 7 years of age. At this age, the jaw is developing, and space management is easier to address.
At the Center for Pediatric Dentistry, we customize treatment for each patient. Several dental appliances can correct misaligned teeth, but braces are the primary means. Braces apply pressure to the teeth and jaws, moving them to better positions.
Early intervention is useful in minimizing or eliminate the need for braces. Thanks to technology, today’s braces are not the shiny metals that you remember wearing. We have more options for your child.
Braces are available in stainless steel, ceramic, plastic, or a combination of materials. We can give your child clear braces or tooth-colored braces, improving their appearance.
Good dental hygiene is crucial for kids wearing braces or other dental appliances.
Why Choose the Center for Pediatric Dentistry?
When it comes to dental care for your kids, you need a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry. Meet Dr, Rassa Abdoll, a dedicated and qualified pediatric dentist. He commands decades of experience in the field and the love of his young patients.
At the Center for Pediatric Dentistry, the physical and mental welfare of our patients is a priority. We make it a point to help the child settle in and feel comfortable in the dentist’s office. We customized our entire facility to create a child-friendly environment. There are plenty of toys and games to keep your children occupied, and our murals will make them feel right at home.
We customize all treatments to suit the patient. Dr. Abdoll and his staff have an infinite bag of tricks that will help your child combat anxiety. Dr. Abdoll sees children of all ages, including newborns, toddlers, adolescents, and children with special needs.
We offer advanced pediatric care employing the latest in technology. We have intraoral cameras, laser dentistry, digital imaging, and more.
Book an appointment today!