Pediatric Dentist (Prevention, Treatment & Sedation)

Matt Hannan, DDS
Updated: January 14, 2024

Pediatric dentists specialize in preventing, managing, and treating dental diseases in children and patients with special needs.

After completing four years of dental school, they meet an additional 2 to 3 years of training and education specializing in kids’ dentistry.

Most general dentists receive limited training in managing children during dental treatment.

Understanding Pediatric Dentistry

Although the dental office can be scary and intimidating for many kids, pediatric dentists seek comfort by outfitting their office with cartoons, famous movie characters, or kid-friendly artwork.

Pediatric dentists are also engaging and enthusiastic about developing rapport with the child and parent.

Healthy Kids Dental Habits

Children are like sponges; they soak up information from what they watch and hear. They’re influenced by tv shows, movies, computer games, books, and parents.

Parents play a crucial role in setting the foundation for children to develop good oral hygiene habits.

Brushing twice daily is recommended to remove all “sugar bugs” that cause cavities. Parents must be persistent with their children and encourage them to develop lasting habits.

Dentists also play a crucial role in educating and reinforcing good habits in children.

Pediatric dentists emphasize preventive dentistry. During their visit, the dental team will explain and teach the child what they’re doing to clean and repair teeth. Dental awareness and education encourage ownership of the child and their oral health.

Diet is another critical factor to consider.

Children should limit the number of sugary foods and drinks but, more importantly, limit the frequency of consumption to minimize contact time with teeth. If teeth are continually bathed with sugar, teeth are more prone to harbor bacteria that lead to gum inflammation and cavities.

Preventive Kids Dentistry

Fluoride and sealants are two means that prevent tooth decay. As discussed before, cavity-causing bacteria flourish in dry, acidic mouth environments.

Their development leads to an acid attack on the tooth that demineralizes the enamel from the outside-in.

Fluoride works to repair weakened enamel and combat the progression of tooth decay.

Fluoride naturally occurs in tap water and is artificially applied in most toothpaste. Ensure your toothpaste has an American Dental Association (ADA) seal so your child receives fluoride benefits.

Of course, too much of anything is a bad thing. Some people are concerned about the effects of fluoride on the body; however, it’s been shown to be safe and effective at the daily recommended dose.

Sealants are tooth-colored coatings applied into pits and grooves on the chewing surface of permanent molars.

These areas are difficult to clean and prone to harboring bacteria that may lead to cavities. The application of sealants is pain-free and can be completed relatively quickly without any drilling.

After they’re cured, the clinician will confirm that all areas are sealed and protected. Sealants can last a lifetime; however, if they fall off, reapplication is necessary. Preventing cavities will eliminate pain, infection, and possibly tooth loss.

Kids Dental Treatment

If cavities are present, the child will need treatment to restore the tooth to its natural form. Pediatric dentists utilize many techniques to calm the child and complete safe dentistry without unnecessary harm.

They also evaluate eruption status, crowding, spacing, and jaw alignment issues. If teeth alignment is necessary, pediatric dentists work in conjunction with general dentists and orthodontists.

Common Dental Treatment

• Tooth-colored fillings
• Stainless steel crowns (SSC)
• Pulpotomy/pulpectomy
• Extractions
• Space maintainers
• Sedation dentistry
• Sealants

Stainless steel crowns (SSC) are necessary if the child has multiple decayed teeth, poor oral hygiene, or high cavity risk.

If decay is present, the clinician will trim the tooth and fit a SSC to protect the tooth from future decay, which allows the tooth to be functional and prevents premature loss that may lead to eventual crowding.

If decay advances to the pulp, the clinician will perform a pulpotomy or pulpectomy before fitting a SSC. If the tooth is non-restorable, an extraction will be necessary, followed by a space maintainer if holding the space is required.

Every tooth erupts at different times, so allowing enough room for the permanent tooth to fill in is essential.

Sedation Kids Dentistry

Pediatric dentists offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and sedation dentistry to help calm children during treatment.

Nitrous oxide is safe and effective, and children respond to instructions.

After treatment, oxygen is administered for 10 minutes to reestablish normalcy. Sedation dentistry will be advised if the child has limited success with nitrous oxide.

There are two types of sedation dentistry, oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia.

Conscious sedation is most common and requires the child to consume a sedative liquid before treatment.

The child’s vitals are monitored and recorded to verify their health throughout the procedure.

Often, the clinician can complete all the planned work in one sitting. After completion, the child is monitored and evaluated before leaving the office. General anesthesia is completed in a hospital setting if more significant sedation is needed or the patient is medically compromised.

Like conscious sedation, general anesthesia allows the clinician to accomplish all desired work in one sitting.

Recommendations

If your child is referred to a pediatric dentist, understand that your child will receive exceptional care while minimizing potential trauma.

The dental experience will have a lasting effect on the child, for better or worse. To maximize their success, talk to them about their upcoming visit, avoiding words such as pain, poke, hurt, and shot. Check with your dental insurance before your visit to confirm coverage and office assignment.

Related: Best MDA Recommended Products

My Experience & Expertise

Pediatric dentists work hard to provide a welcoming environment for children and their families.

Has your child recently been referred to a pediatric dentist? Are you aware of all the treatment options available?

My Dental Advocate’s team of board-certified dentists can provide a second opinion on your planned treatment. We look forward to bringing you peace of mind by verifying your treatment plan, suggesting an alternative, or answering your questions.

Need a second opinion? We can help! Learn more. Knowledge is power when cultivating healthy dental habits. The more informed you are, the better positioned you’ll be to prevent avoidable and potentially costly dental procedures for you and your family. Watch for future blog posts, where we’ll continue sharing important information, product reviews and practical advice!