Children's dental clinic up to what age. A pediatric dentist: who he is, what is included in his competence, treatment features and basic recommendations

You should not delay your child’s first visit to the dental clinic: it is important that the acquaintance with the doctor begins not with treatment, but with a preventive examination - this way you can lay the foundation for a long-term friendship.

For a modern children's clinic, all the little things are important: the presence of a comfortable playroom and room where small patients can relax after treatment under anesthesia, a wide selection of toys - not simple ones, but dental toys that will help involve little patients in the treatment process. Doctors and nurses in a children's clinic wear bright overalls so as not to cause unpleasant associations with a white coat in the child. Even the specific odors of medicines in the children's clinic are tried to be removed. An aquarium with fish, a TV with cartoons, coloring books and sketchbooks - all this will help the child relax and feel comfortable. In situations where a large amount of assistance is required, children undergo dental treatment in their sleep, for which the clinic has a full-fledged anesthesia room.

How does dental treatment differ between children and adults?

Of course, the main difference is the age of the patient. Children perceive any sensation very acutely, and one bad experience with a dentist can lead to the fact that in the future it will be difficult to sit the child in a chair and persuade him to open his mouth. Therefore, the doctor’s personality is of great importance - the ability to establish contact with the child, show genuine interest in him, and attention to all the details.

Dental treatment for children is carried out in game form, but at the same time the doctor performs all manipulations as quickly and painlessly as possible. If there are multiple caries and other problems that create a large amount of work, the doctor may recommend, in the absence of contraindications, to carry out. After all, even the calmest and most sociable little patients get tired of sitting for a long time in the chair, which negates the positive impressions of visiting a dental clinic.

Baby baby teeth are another important difference in dentistry for children and adults. Parents are often mistaken that there is no need to treat baby teeth - they will soon fall out anyway (another version of this misconception: it is better to immediately remove the diseased baby tooth - let a new one grow quickly). In fact, the treatment and preservation of baby teeth is very important. Why?

Firstly, if a baby tooth is removed prematurely, the dentition will begin to shift: adjacent teeth will shift towards the missing one, and the permanent tooth may grow incorrectly. Secondly, under the milk teeth there are the rudiments of permanent ones (they are laid in the prenatal period), and deep caries that affects the milk tooth can go deeper and affect the permanent tooth.

Dental problems in children require an immediate response, since inflammatory processes develop very quickly: just yesterday the child felt fine, but today he suffers from toothache and high temperature. In this case, you need to go to the clinic as soon as possible for treatment, and not try to relieve pain and fever at home.

Prevention is key

For children, even more than for adults, prevention is important: you need to visit at least twice a year, without waiting until the child begins to complain about toothache. Timely detection of caries will allow you to avoid future dental problems and carry out treatment quickly and painlessly.

Often, as a preventive measure, pediatric dentists recommend sealing fissures, protecting the weak enamel of the chewing surface of the teeth. Fissures - depressions, pits on chewing surfaces - become a breeding ground for bacteria. Thin enamel and the inability to clean these grooves with a brush and paste leads to the rapid development of caries.

In addition to carrying out preventive and medical procedures The doctor must teach the child how to properly care for the oral cavity. Parents often have questions about how to instill the right habits in their son or daughter - and here a dentist will help, who will tell you how to help your child learn to brush their teeth regularly.

Many parents have an incomplete and often incorrect understanding of pediatric dentistry. The reason for this is several erroneous opinions that have taken root in the public consciousness. Let's look at just a few of these misconceptions and try to evaluate them.

MISCONCEPTION N1: There is no need to treat baby teeth, since they will be replaced by permanent teeth later anyway.

IN FACT: The quality of permanent teeth depends on the health of baby teeth. Most diseases of primary teeth can progress to permanent teeth, in this case, by the time they erupt, they will already be affected by diseases. Another problem is related to the misalignment of baby teeth. This can lead to malocclusion even in adulthood. In this case, the child will definitely develop complexes that will negatively affect his development and life in general. So you need to take care of dental health from the birth of your child.

MISCONCEPTION N2: Any dentist can treat children’s teeth, so if problems arise, it is not necessary to contact a pediatric dentist or a specialized children’s dental clinic.

REALLY: Dentistry childhood- a separate dental area that takes into account all the features child's body. When working with children, dentists use completely different tools, materials and medications. Pediatric dentistry is many times painless, and this is its advantage. In addition, not every dentist can work with children. In general, the requirements for pediatric dentists are much higher, because in addition to excellent knowledge in the field of dentistry, he must also be an excellent psychologist in order to easily find contact with the child, and carry out treatment without pain and blood. This is extremely important for children, especially psychologically. After all, if the first visit to the dentist did not cause him any anxiety or pain, in the future he will visit the doctor very calmly. This approach has long been practiced in developed countries of the world, where visiting a pediatric dentist has turned into something resembling a holiday. Before going to the doctor himself, children play with toys, communicate with other children, watch cartoons, draw and read books, and receive nice gifts. The treatment procedure itself also does not cause special problems, since for drilling teeth they do not use a drill, but a completely painless and silent laser. The same applies to pain relief, for which topical anesthesia is used, for example, a safe and effective lidocaine spray. The child leaves such a clinic with good emotions, healthy teeth and a new toy in hand. Such a child will visit the dentist all his life without a shudder, carefully follow all his recommendations and take care of his teeth.

MISCONCEPTION N3: Carious teeth in children should not be treated, it is useless. It is better to remove them immediately so that permanent ones appear in their place.

IN FACT: It has long been proven that early removal of baby teeth leads to serious problems. First of all, this concerns difficulties associated with the eruption of a permanent tooth. The fact is that after removing a tooth affected by caries, neighboring teeth begin to move from their places, trying to fill the empty space. In this case, the permanent tooth may erupt out of place. This is fraught with the fact that it will have to be corrected at a more mature age. malocclusion child. The absence of baby teeth has an extremely negative impact on chewing food. In addition, the development of the bite, facial skeleton, diction may be disrupted, and cosmetic defects may form. This is why doctors believe that childhood caries must be treated.

MISCONCEPTION N4: Children's teeth cannot be filled with composite materials.

IN FACT: This is not true. It’s just that in many of our dental clinics there are not enough conditions created for the child to sit in a chair for the required time and allow the doctor to carry out treatment normally.
This is only possible in specialized children's clinics, where treatment is combined with play, and modern composite materials are used for filling, which are durable, hygienic and at the same time aesthetically pleasing. If necessary, nitrous oxide is also used - an oxygen mask. All these technologies allow the child to relax, and help the doctor to heal the tooth efficiently. If all the necessary conditions are met, it will not be difficult for the child to get crowns and/or neat removable dentures.

MISCONCEPTION #5: If you scare a child at the dentist, he will take better care of his dental hygiene.

IN FACT: One of the biggest misconceptions, bordering on stupidity. If you do this, the child will develop fear and a negative attitude towards the dentist and adult life. On the contrary, it is necessary to convince the child that visiting the dentist is a harmless and even pleasant activity. This is done in many countries around the world, where the problem of fear of the dentist has long been resolved. In these countries dental treatment- very expensive treatment. Therefore, people there are well aware that dental diseases are much easier and cheaper to prevent than to treat later. That’s why it’s not dentists that scare children there. In our country, such parental behavior, unfortunately, is still considered quite normal. However, if we look at the root of the problem, in our country it is often not the parents who are to blame, but the dentists themselves, who, during the child’s first visit, caused him pain and instilled hostility. In this case, you must immediately change the dentist. Ask your friends and acquaintances about specialists in pediatric dentistry. Make sure it's good specialist and only then entrust the health of your baby into his hands. Remember, in early childhood, a negative impression of a visit to the dentist can be changed into a positive one, but as the child grows up, this will be almost impossible.

MISCONCEPTION N6: Treatment of a child’s teeth in a specialized children’s clinic is too expensive.

IN FACT: At first glance, this is indeed the case. But only if you don’t consider how much money and time you and your child will save in the future. What if, as an adult, your son or daughter has a panicky fear of the dentist and turns to him only when it is simply impossible to resist the pain? How much will forced visits to the dentist cost him then? You can easily calculate that the amount will be many times more than the prevention and treatment of a child’s teeth in specialized clinic, where he will not experience any anxiety or fear of the doctor.

MISCONCEPTION N7: It is not necessary for a child to brush his teeth with a special toothpaste; any will do.

IN FACT: Baby's teeth must be brushed with special children's toothpastes, which are designed specifically for baby teeth. These pastes have a pleasant taste, but the main thing is that they contain a protective mineral composition.
You need to start brushing your child's teeth from the moment they erupt. First, use a silicone brush placed on your finger for this, and then, closer to the age of one, you can use a special children’s toothbrush in the shape of a toy. This brush has both gentle bristles and the required size, and the toy will help cheer up the child. But the most important thing is to teach your child to brush his teeth every day, morning and evening, and to do it correctly.

MISCONCEPTION #8: It doesn’t matter how healthy a child eats, the main thing is that he eats enough.

IN FACT: Poor nutrition- one of the main causes of dental diseases in childhood. To prevent such problems from arising, immediately after the birth of the child, parents are obliged to do everything to ensure that the child feeds on mother’s milk. Breast milk- the most valuable source of nutrients and protective substances. But even more important is the way in which the child receives it. To achieve this, he makes a lot of effort, and this, in turn, has a huge impact on the growth, development and formation of the child’s dental system.

In general, dairy products are extremely important for the development of a child’s body, as they supply him with calcium - the main element of teeth and bones. So dairy products should always be in the child’s diet, especially until he reaches the age of three, when the formation and formation of the rudiments is completed permanent teeth. By the way, there is another common mistake parents make when feeding a child with sweet formulas or juices, especially at night and throughout the night. This can cause caries in baby teeth. Therefore, this should not be done under any circumstances.

MISCONCEPTION N9: A child should be taken to the dentist only when he or she has tooth pain or other dental problems.

REALLY: This is a terrible mistake and can cause serious problems. The child should be taken to the dentist for the first time no later than his first birthday. In the future, if the child does not have problems with teeth, it is recommended to make preventive visits to the dentist 2 times a year, but if the child has such problems, this should be done once every 3 months or more often, as prescribed by the doctor. In this case, all problems and diseases will be eradicated in the bud. After all, in childhood pathological processes develop very quickly, and their early diagnosis will allow for simple, quick, painless and inexpensive treatment. In addition, preventive dental examinations do not cause a feeling of fear in the child, since the child realizes that he has nothing to be afraid of.

MISCONCEPTION N10: The best way treatment of bottle caries - silvering.

FACT: The effectiveness of teeth silvering has not been proven in extensive dental research. Most dentists rightly believe that silvering of children’s teeth should only be used if the dental clinic is not equipped with modern equipment and technologies. The fact is that silver plating is effective only for superficial caries. If caries has already penetrated inside the tooth, silvering will not be able to help, since caries will continue to destroy it from the inside. Another drawback of this method is its unaesthetic quality: the silver gradually begins to turn black, and very soon the child begins to feel complex about his smile. Modern medicine has developed many alternative methods prevention of caries, so it is not surprising that many dental clinics have abandoned the silvering of baby teeth.

MISCONCEPTION N11: Children should not have crowns on their front teeth because it is pointless.

IN FACT: Perhaps a few years ago this was indeed the case. In cases where the tooth was significantly damaged, it was proposed to remove it or seal the root with cement. For a long time Medical scientists struggled to create a method for saving and restoring damaged front teeth, because, as we have already said, tooth removal in the future negatively affects the development of the child’s dental system and diction. And so, quite recently, a solution was found: if the tooth root is intact, it can be saved with the help of a crown. Often this is the only chance to save a diseased tooth and extend its service life. To date this is the most reliable way preserve the child’s teeth until they are replaced with permanent ones. The very fact that the child will be able to take a full bite of food and will not be embarrassed by his smile indicates the advantage of this method, which is already used in all leading dental clinics on the planet. At the same time, preference should be given metal-ceramic crowns, which are not only durable, but also externally indistinguishable from surrounding healthy teeth.

MISCONCEPTION N12: Teething in babies is always accompanied by elevated temperature, anxiety, stomach upset and other factors.

IN FACT: For many children, the teething process is painless. But most still have short periods irritability, pain, disturbances in sleep and eating patterns. It is very rare that this process is extremely painful for the child. In case of such a relapse, parents should consult a pediatrician or pediatric dentist. As for a slight increase in temperature in a child, it can be caused by swelling of the gums through which teeth are being cut. However, teething itself does not cause a significant increase in temperature or stomach upset. So, if such symptoms appear, it is also recommended to consult a pediatrician, as it is quite possible that they are caused by something else.

MISCONCEPTION N13: A child’s correct bite should be addressed when he completes the replacement of baby teeth with permanent ones.

IN FACT: You need to take care of your child’s correct bite from the very minute you notice a problem. Don't think that malocclusion creates only cosmetic problems. It can cause much more serious problems- damage to teeth, their supporting apparatus, gums. The fact is that crooked and crowded teeth are more susceptible to diseases that can lead to their loss, since such teeth are extremely difficult to clean. In addition, other problems threaten such teeth: increased abrasion, ineffective chewing, additional stress and diseases of the jaw joints, causing chronic migraines, facial and neck pain, and problems with gastrointestinal tract and breathing. Modern dentistry makes it possible to eliminate bite problems at any age. However, dentists recommend doing this in childhood, since in children this process lasts much less. It has been proven that children tolerate the presence of orthodontic devices in their mouths much more easily and are not embarrassed, and often even proud of their colorful braces in the form of animals or stars. Best age for a preventive examination of a child by an orthodontist - 6-7 years. It is at this age that the first permanent teeth erupt. Using them, it is already possible to determine whether the child will have malocclusion. If there is a problem, the orthodontist will find ways to influence the direction of tooth growth, correct the speed of development and size of the jaws.

MISCONCEPTION N14: Orthodontic appliances disfigure a child’s appearance.

IN ACTUALITY: Once upon a time this was really true. But now dentistry offers several options to solve bite problems. This can be a removable plate, which is usually used between the ages of 6 and 10 years, when the bite is formed. These can also be special mouthguard trainers that prevent malocclusion. Outwardly, they look like a boxing tire, but are completely transparent. Mouthguards are used between the ages of 6 and 15 years. Children usually wear a mouthguard during the day for 1.5-2 hours. At a more mature age, at 11-12 years, when the formation of the root tips is completed, orthodontists recommend using braces to correct the bite.

MISCONCEPTION N15: Braces are the subject of ridicule from peers and others.

IN FACT: Dentists have long stopped using bulky and ugly braces. Modern braces are so attractive and varied that children and teenagers wear them with pleasure, without fear of ridicule from their peers. Braces systems are small locks that are glued to the teeth from the outside or inside. These locks are connected to each other by a thin metal arc that has shape memory and takes on its original state no matter how it is bent. Today, the child himself can choose the color of his braces, since it is very easy to paint it in any color - from transparent to multi-colored. In addition, another advantage of braces is that it can contain the child’s favorite figures - animals, toys, patterns. By the way, braces are made from different materials and as a result have different appearance And varying degrees efficiency. Among the variety of metal (steel), plastic, sapphire (made from artificial sapphires) and ceramic braces, dentists prefer metal ones, as they are both high-quality and inexpensive. The latest developments by doctors are translucent and very effective braces, which are even smaller than traditional ones and therefore much less noticeable on the teeth.

Colored fillings, anesthesia in the form of a spray, dental treatment for caries without the use of a terribly buzzing drill - young children have every chance, if not to love going to the dentist, then not to be afraid of them. You will learn in the article what features pediatric dentistry has, how the youngest patients are treated, and what problems children of different ages go to the dentist with.

Who is a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist must have qualities that allow him to find an approach to each child.

No matter how parents prepare their child for a trip to dental office, once in the doctor’s chair, the baby may try to stand up, spin around, refuse to open his mouth and in every possible way complicate the doctor’s work. That's why pediatric dentist- this is not only a specialist, knowledgeable the structure of the child’s dental system and methods of treating diseases that affect baby teeth and surrounding tissues, but also a psychologist who knows how to win the favor of a small patient and is able to calm him down. In addition, the doctor must be able to do his work not only efficiently, but also quickly.

A pediatric dentist is a doctor whose patients are children from birth to 16 years of age. Yes, a baby may need to see a dentist long before he or she develops a primary dentition and even before.

Features of treatment of children's teeth

Some parents mistakenly believe that baby teeth have neither roots nor nerves, and if they are damaged by caries, it is easier to remove them than to undergo treatment. This opinion is incorrect and, if you follow it, the child will have to forget about a beautiful smile. Milk teeth, although called temporary, serve the child long years: the first tooth grows at about 6 months, and the last one changes radically at approximately the age of 14 years.

Milk teeth are located above the rudiments of the molars, so their health affects how strong and even the permanent set of teeth will grow. Moreover, the condition of the baby teeth determines whether the molars will grow at all, for example, if a child with a baby bite is left untreated for a long time, inflammatory process can lead to the death of permanent tooth buds.

Therefore, as soon as the baby teethes, you need to care for him no less carefully than for a permanent one. You need to brush your teeth soft brush and a paste that does not harm the baby’s health if accidentally swallowed. At least every six months, and better time at 4 months, you need to visit the city children's dental clinic for preventive examinations.

Visiting the dentist between 0 and 2 years of age

The smallest patients are forced to visit a pediatric dental clinic for a short hair trimming. A pediatrician can identify this problem in a baby almost immediately after birth based on the following signs:

• improper latching on the breast when feeding;
• biting the nipple with the gums;
• Jaw tremor due to muscle strain.

Due to the fact that the baby does not eat enough, he does not gain weight, and the mother may have problems with lactation and pain during feeding. By contacting children's regional dentistry, this problem can be solved in a few minutes. At the age of up to 5 months, the frenulum is cut even without the use of painkillers, since the baby’s mucous membrane is very thin. During the procedure, the baby will not feel pain, and there will be no blood at the incision site.

After one year of age, children may already develop the so-called. The structural features of baby teeth contribute to the rapid development of caries, in which children suffer from severe pain.

The cause of bottle caries is night feedings and sweet compotes before bed. The child should not drink anything other than water after brushing his teeth in the evening, otherwise an ideal environment for the proliferation of carious bacteria will be created in his mouth.

To prevent the development of caries in baby teeth, you need to brush your teeth from the moment they appear.

Caries can appear in a baby due to insufficient or no oral hygiene. There is an opinion that children under 3 years of age should not brush their teeth, and some parents agree with it. But if you are not lazy, spend 6 minutes a day brushing your child’s teeth and he will not have to suffer from toothaches caused by caries.

Dentist for 2-5 years

Parents who took good care of their child's teeth before the age of 2 will likely not need to visit the dentist for the next 3 years. Experts call this time a period of physiological calm.

At the age of up to 5 years, a pediatric dentist can detect this in a child and promptly refer him for a consultation with an orthodontist. The sooner the problem is detected, the faster it will be solved - the child will not have to wear orthodontic appliances for a long time, and the parent’s wallet will suffer less money.

To prevent tooth and gum disease, take care of proper diet nutrition for your child. His menu should include foods containing vitamins and microelements. It is important that the baby eats solid foods, such as raw vegetables and fruits, and bagels.

By the age of 5, the process begins: baby teeth become loose and fall out, and permanent teeth grow in their place. In order for the temporary tooth to safely leave its place, its roots must resolve. This is a physiological process and does not cause the child any discomfort at all. But the fact is that soft food in the diet does not contribute to the resorption of the roots of baby teeth. In order for the permanent set of teeth to grow evenly and occupy their designated places in the row, the baby’s bite is formed correctly, the child must eat solid food. In addition, an apple or carrot is an excellent way to clean the surface of teeth from soft plaque.

Both baby and molar teeth need quality care.

Pediatric dentist 6-16 years old

At this age, children experience a change in bite, so in addition to detecting and treating caries, the dentist monitors the formation of the jaws and the correct position of their position when closing. Correct bite is not only about the beauty of a smile and the harmony of a child’s facial features. This determines how well the baby will chew food, which in turn affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Advice: if a child does not brush his teeth properly, pediatric dentists recommend a procedure to prevent the development of caries. During it, fissures - depressions on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars, are filled special composition. As a result, the fissures are “sealed” and caries cannot develop in them.

Another reason for visiting a children's dental clinic, both paid and public, is speech therapy problems that have arisen due to an uncut frenulum of the tongue in early childhood. As already mentioned, during the neonatal period this problem is solved quickly and painlessly for the child, while in adulthood the child will need full-fledged major surgery, carried out under local anesthesia and ending with suturing.

Modern pediatric dentistry has effective methods caries prevention, one of which is fissure sealing.

Anesthesia for dental treatment in children

If a child still develops problems with teeth caused by caries, treatment, be it the regional children's Dental clinic or private office, most often performed under anesthesia. If you need to give an injection, first the doctor will treat the gums with a spray or gel containing an anesthetic, for example, lidocaine. After this, the child will not feel the doctor piercing the gums with a needle.

If a child has a panicky fear of the dentist or is restless, sedation with nitrous oxide can be used, which puts the child into a state of mild euphoria and relaxation. During the procedure, he is fully conscious; this method is considered even safer than local anesthesia.

At the age of 2-3 years, treatment is often carried out, since it is still almost impossible to persuade such children to sit quietly in the dentist’s chair and fulfill any of the doctor’s requests. Particularly relevant general anesthesia with a large “front of work”. The drugs used for it are considered safe.

When is immediate dental care needed?

In some situations, there is a need to urgently contact a dentist. On the weekend, holidays or at night, the on-duty pediatric dentist comes to the rescue. What are these situations?

If a child complains about severe pain in the tooth, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible, because painful sensations can be unbearable. When pain is caused by tooth decay, it can be temporarily relieved by brushing your teeth thoroughly and rinsing oral cavity soda solution. It is not recommended to give children painkillers; it is better to take the child to an appointment at a 24-hour pediatric dentistry.

Another reason to immediately contact the on-duty children's dental clinic is swelling of the child's cheek and complaints of pain in the tooth. Swelling of the cheek indicates inflammation that began in the root part of the tooth and the periosteum. In addition to pain, the child may complain of weakness and may have a fever. This disease is called, and it requires a lightning-fast response from parents. A complication of periostitis can be phlegmon, a deadly disease.

IN urgently It is worth contacting a pediatric dentist if there is a fracture or. In children, due to their mobility and activity, this problem often arises. If a child’s tooth is broken as a result of an injury, parents need to remove its fragments from the baby’s mouth and ask him to rinse his mouth warm water, apply cold to the problem area and go to the doctor as soon as possible.

Pediatric dentistry has in its arsenal many techniques and technologies that allow painlessly solving various problems. There may be no less reasons to contact a specialist in childhood than in adults. But every parent must remember that the quality of dental care determines how often the child will have to visit a good dentist.

During the first year of life, parents with babies should visit a number of doctors. The main purpose of the visit is to assess the rate of growth and development, as well as to exclude diseases. Infants are vulnerable to the development of numerous diseases, and the reason is physiological characteristics. You should definitely visit: a pediatrician, an ENT specialist, a surgeon, an orthopedist, an ophthalmologist, and a dentist. But sometimes parents underestimate the role of dental status and its connection with the baby’s health.

Dental status of children

The connection between oral health and oral health has long been proven. It is known that some dental pathologies can provoke acute inflammatory diseases kidney, digestive tract and etc.

Incorrect bite causes nasal breathing problems, and, as is known, mouth breathing is the cause of numerous diseases internal organs. Caries and its complications, provoked by some representatives of streptococci, can also provoke sore throats and other diseases. There are many examples.

Important to remember: organism – one system, in which everything is interconnected, and any disease can provoke other, more complex ones.

Anatomical and physiological characteristics of children younger age put them at risk for developing numerous diseases. By analyzing the data, it is even possible to highlight the connection between age and certain diseases. It is according to these principles that WHO (World Health Organization) has drawn up a schedule for children to visit dentists.

Note that we're talking about exactly about routine examinations. But if the baby has alarming symptoms– you must visit the dentist immediately, regardless of the schedule and recommendations .

First examination of a newborn baby by a dentist

Even in the parental department, in the first minutes and hours of life, the baby is carefully examined by a number of specialists. Doctors evaluate skin, reflexes, assess the Apgar scale, evaluate breathing, etc.

When examining a newborn, doctors are primarily interested in the size of the tongue frenulum.

Under the bridle refers to an anatomical formation that is woven into the back surface of the tongue at one end and into the floor of the mouth at the other. Its length determines the movements of the tongue.

If it is shortened, the baby will not be able to fully latch onto the breast and suckle. To assess the size, only a visual inspection and assessment of the movement of the tongue is sufficient. In some cases, initial examination the child’s oral cavity does not give any results.

But later, literally after 5-15 days, a nursing mother may notice the following alarming symptoms of a shortened size of the tongue frenulum:

• The appearance of smacking sounds when feeding.
• Prolonged sucking: the baby suckles at the breast, followed by a long break and the sucking continues.
• Unpleasant sensations that appear during feeding in the mother. Especially warning signs the formation of pain and cracked nipples and other unpleasant consequences is considered.
• Capricious behavior of the baby at the breast.
• Low weight gain.

If such symptoms develop, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.

When should you bring your child to the dentist's office for the first time?

During the examination, doctors evaluate the following parameters:

1. Development maxillofacial area . At the birth of a baby, for the possibility of full feeding, upper jaw The baby is significantly moved forward in relation to the lower one, but gradually this difference is reduced. Disruption of this process is a direct path to the formation of bite pathologies.
2. Number of teeth . Teething is an important physiological indicator by which one can judge the baby’s development and diagnose some dangerous pathologies. By 9-12 months, a child should have 5-8 teeth in his mouth.
3. Condition of erupted teeth . As soon as the baby's teeth erupt, they are in danger: caries does not sleep - especially if the baby gets artificial feeding. Dentists must also exclude the presence of non-carious dental lesions - hypoplasia, which increases the risk of developing caries and its complications.
4. Condition of the oral mucosa . Children 6-12 one month old are at risk for developing infectious diseases: intestinal infections, stomatitis – often candidiasis or bacterial. Absence timely treatment stomatitis can lead to a number of undesirable consequences.

A dental examination at 9-12 months is often preventive in nature. At the appointment, dentists tell parents how to care for their baby’s teeth and gums: how to choose toothbrush and toothpaste, how to brush your teeth. And, of course, they set a schedule for subsequent visits.

Until 2-3 years of age, you need to visit the dentist every 3-5 months.

Children aged 2.5-3 years at the dentist

By the age of three, the formation of the primary bite is completed; the baby should have all 20 primary teeth.

Statistics show: Caries is first recorded at the age of 1.7-2 years, and in children it progresses rapidly.

According to this, The main task of dentists is to promptly identify caries, treat it, prevent complications, and also draw up an effective prevention plan .

Parents should remember that the condition of the primary occlusion is the key to full development and the absence of problems in the permanent one. Timely diagnosis and treatment of caries – the best remedy prevention of the development of dental phobia , because sometimes the treatment of pulpitis is often associated with some unpleasant, and even painful sensations, not to mention fear. In addition to the condition of the teeth, dentists will be interested in the condition of the bite, growth and development of the jaws.

By the age of three, gaps should be visible between the baby’s teeth – physiological gaps. If the teeth are close to each other, this is a sign of pathology, indicating insufficient jaw growth and possible pathologies bite in the future.

Doctors also assess the condition of the oral mucosa and give advice to parents about caring for their teeth and gums. — and controlled through a supervised brushing procedure.

Controlled teeth brushing – dental procedure, which involves brushing a child’s teeth in a doctor’s office. Then the child is asked to dissolve tablets that stain the plaque. As a result, children and parents clearly see mistakes - and correct them under the supervision of a dentist.

The schedule of visits to the dentist is changing: with children over 2.5-3 years old, you need to visit the doctor once every 2-3 months.

Visiting the dentist at 5-6 years old

This age is the period of mixed dentition, when permanent dentition replaces milk teeth. the main task dentists and parents during this period – prevention of premature loss of baby teeth .

Remember! Premature loss of baby teeth - removal by medical indications long before the timing of their natural replacement. In 96% of cases, this is the main reason for the formation of bite pathologies.

For prevention, it is necessary to visit the dentist in a timely manner, identify and treat caries, and adhere to the rules of prevention.

At this age it can begin orthodontic treatment, but not in full, and not by all methods. For some pathologies, dentists prefer to wait with treatment.

During the period of 5-6 years, the first permanent teeth – the first molars – appear in the baby’s mouth. Many dentists recommend fissure sealing. . Caries has favorite places of formation: fissures, contact surfaces, gingival area, etc.

– preliminary sealing (filling) of fissures of chewing teeth, which prevents the development of caries.

Visit the dentist while wearing this age period need once every 2-3 months.

Visiting the dentist for children 8-10 years old

At this age, dentists control the processes of jaw growth - bite development; They try to promptly identify and treat caries and its complications.

A dental examination should be carried out every 3-4 months.

But if the following symptoms occur, you should contact your dentist immediately:

• Difficulty in teething : inflammatory formations, eruption cysts that resemble hematomas, deterioration of the child’s condition.
• Eruption of permanent tooth , when its milk “ancestor” remained in the oral cavity. Upon examination, it is clear that the teeth grow in 2 rows.
• Erupting two identical teeth at the same time – appearance of supernumerary teeth.

Both supernumerary and baby teeth are removed when the permanent teeth have erupted! Moreover, the sooner this happens, the better!

When a child is 8-10 years old, dentists have more technical capabilities to carry out orthodontic treatment.

Teenagers at the dentist

When entering a difficult and thorny path As boys become boys and girls become girls, new threats are created for their dental health. Raging hormones cause the formation of a special type of gum inflammation - juvenile gingivitis, or even juvenile periodontitis.

Juvenile periodontitis – an inflammatory-dystrophic disease of the gums, characterized by resorption of the bone plate of the alveolus of the jaw, which creates a threat to irreversible loss of teeth and other unpleasant complications.

Inflammatory gum diseases associated with hormones are persistent and difficult to treat.

The main treatment prescribed by dentists is symptomatic. Its main goal is to prevent the disease from becoming chronic, as well as the development of other unpleasant symptoms.

Instead of a conclusion: schedule of visits to the dentist for a child from 0 to 18 years old

At each age you can trace the most threatening conditions and diseases of the oral cavity of children.

For clarity and to help parents, the following table has been compiled:

Age	What is the threat?	Necessary actions
From birth	Congenital pathologies Developmental defects Shortening of the frenulum of the tongue	Assessment of the condition and functions of the oral cavity Level of attachment of the frenulum of the tongue Assessment of attachment and breastfeeding
9-12 months	Disturbances in the process of teething Anomalies of individual teeth Early caries Stomatitis, lip inflammation Formation of jam	Assessment of the child’s growth and development rates, teething schedule and the principle of pairing Exclusion of carious and non-carious lesions of teeth Diagnosis and treatment of stomatitis Teaching parents how to brush teeth and care for their baby's oral cavity
From 1 to 3 years	Caries Stomatitis Malocclusion, supernumerary teeth Oral injuries	Treatment and prevention of caries, training in brushing teeth, selection of toothbrush and toothpaste, if necessary additional funds hygiene Control of growth and development of the maxillofacial area Prevention of childhood injuries
From 3 to 8 years	Premature tooth loss Malocclusion Supernumerary teeth Stomatitis Caries	Assessment of the development of the maxillofacial area (presence of physiological three) Detection and treatment of caries and its complications, prevention
8-10 years	Caries Difficulty in teething Teething schedule Violation of the timing of the natural change of baby teeth	Treatment and prevention of caries and its complications Control of the eruption of permanent teeth and the change of milk teeth, necessary measures treatment Assessment of development and growth of the maxillofacial region
Teenagers	Caries Juvenile gingivitis and periodontitis Bite pathologies	Treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis itself, as well as prevention of complications, which is included in the scope of symptomatic therapy Treatment and prevention of caries Monitoring the development and condition of occlusion

Parents often wonder: where to treat the teeth of their children who are already 10 - 18 years old: at a pediatric dentist or at an adult dentist who treats the parents themselves? It seems that the children are adults, and their teeth are already the same as those of adults...

Reasons why teenagers should be treated by a pediatric dentist.

Photo: dental treatment with a rubber dam The tooth is isolated from the oral cavity, from saliva and tongue using a rubber dam. It is convenient for both the doctor and the patient, as it allows the patient to partially cover their mouth to rest during treatment without compromising quality.

• According to the law, only a doctor with a certificate of “pediatric dentistry” has the right to treat children and adolescents under 18 years of age;
• Children's teeth are different from adult teeth. Both baby and permanent teeth in children and teenagers are young and new. The unformed enamel of such teeth is more susceptible to the carious process, which, while occurring unnoticed by the child and parents, is very quickly complicated by inflammation of the nerve of the tooth (pulpitis).
• How smaller child, the more difficult it is for him to fulfill the requirements of the dentist: open his mouth wide, lie motionless in the dental chair, endure various manipulations in the oral cavity (but sometimes a child wants to touch and see what is being done in his mouth). These features require the dentist to have patience and the ability to manage the child’s behavior.
• Young teeth, especially molars, are partially covered with mucous membrane for a long time after eruption, which creates significant difficulties in isolating the surgical field from saliva. In such a situation, the use of special isolating devices, such as a rubber dam, is required. A rubber dam is a special curtain made of latex that allows you to effectively treat a tooth. Carrying out such manipulations on young molars as sealing and placing a filling without isolation with a rubber dam is not possible.
• A pediatric dentist knows the peculiarities of dental development in childhood and adolescence. Often adult therapists do not know how to treat teeth whose eruption is not complete, the root system of which is not formed. This, in turn, is fraught with excessive preparation of healthy tooth tissue and poor quality of treatment; As a result, the teeth do not complete their formation. SUCH TEETH ARE BADLY RESISTANT TO STRAIN AND CARIES;