About Me

Pediatric Dentistry

Center Philippines

Who is the dentist for kids?
The pediatric dentist is the dentist for children. They are dentists who underwent special training to treat children. Pediatric dentistry is a specialization which is age-defined, and not procedure defined. In contrast to other specialists like orthodontists – who treat the malalignment of teeth – the pediatric dentists are trained to do any procedure on children, 0-18 years old, including the medically compromised. These dentists are specially trained to deal with the children’s behavior.

Why are baby teeth important? They are just baby teeth anyway.
Baby teeth are important for several reasons. One, baby teeth are important so they can eat well. Children need the right nutrition for their optimal growth and development. Two, baby teeth are important to serve as guide for their permanent teeth. Three, baby teeth are important for the health of the children, because decayed baby teeth can be the source of potential infection. Fourth, baby teeth are important for children’s correct phonetics since this is the time that children are leaning how to talk. And fifth, having healthy baby teeth are important for the confidence and self-esteem of children.

How do we take care of baby teeth?
The right amount of fluoridated toothpaste and the right technique of toothbrushing , together with the right diet and correct feeding habits all contribute to the good health of baby teeth.

What is “baby bottle tooth decay”?
This was named for the main reason that children fall asleep with their feeding bottles. The parents are not able to brush their teeth anymore because they are asleep. This habit is very harmful to the teeth since the milk is left nakababad on the teeth. It is advised that the babies are weaned from the bottle by age 1.

What can happen if we neglect to take care of baby teeth?
Neglected baby teeth can lead to tooth decay. This can cause toothaches which can make eating for children difficult, thus causing malnutrition. This can cause severe pain for the child which can cause him/her and you sleepless nights. Deep dental cavities can affect the surface and alignment of permanent teeth. They can also cause serious infection, which can be fatal, if ignored.

What are the good food to eat?
The good food to eat to keep the teeth and gums healthy are milk, eggs, yogurt, toast, peanuts, cheese, vegetables and meat dishes. Ice cream, raisins and other dried fruits and unsweetened juices should be consumed in moderation. Avoid these high-sugar dishes as much as possible: candy, chocolate, pretzels, potato chips, cookies, cakes,pastries, presweetened cereals, marshmallows, fast food, sugared gum and sodas.

They say that toothpastes with fluoride should not be used on young children because of their tendency to swallow the toothpaste. Is this true?
No. This used to be the recommendation of pediatric dentists. But this has changed. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently recommended that children brush with fluoridated toothpastes to prevent tooth decay.

What is the right amount of fluoridated toothpastes for the children?
The Philippine Pediatric Dental Society, Inc. recommends that a SMEAR of toothpaste is used for babies 6 months too 3 years old. HALF A PEA SIZE is recommended for toddlers 3 - 6 years old. And PEA SIZE is recommended for children 6 years old and above. A brush-spit-no rinse is recommended to let the fluoride do its job.

When are the baby teeth complete?
The baby teeth are complete by 2-3 years old. They are 20 teeth, compromising of 4 upper and 4 lower teeth, 4 canines and 4 upper and 4 lower molars.

When does the last baby tooth fall?
The last baby tooth falls off by age 11 years old. This is a long time. This is why we need to take care of the baby teeth, while they are around. This erases the myth that all baby teeth fall off by age 7.

When does the permanent tooth start to erupt?
The first permanent tooth usually erupts at 6 years old. It can be either the lower front tooth or the first permanent molar. The first permanent molar erupts at the back of the baby molars. This molar is often neglected because parents don’t realize they have come out since they don’t change any baby tooth. This is the reason why the first permanent molar often has tooth decay. Since parents and children don’t know they have arrived, no adjustments on toothbrushing technique are done.