Paediatric dentistry: dental care for children in Villavicencio

Paediatric dentistry is dental care for children, from the first tooth through to adolescence. It is not adult dentistry in a smaller size: the materials, the length of the appointment and, above all, the way the patient is spoken to are all different.

The main aim is for a child to reach adulthood without decay and without fear. That is why much of the work is preventive: regular check-ups, sealants, fluoride, and support for the family with habits at home.

When there is already decay, pain or an injury to a tooth, that is treated too, with explanations suited to the child's age and with the parent or guardian involved in every decision.

The first visit: when to bring them

The general recommendation is a first appointment at around the child's first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. That sounds early, and that is the point: the first visit is not about treating anything. It is about checking, giving guidance on brushing and diet, and making the dental surgery a familiar place.

If your child is older and has never been, that is not a problem. You start the same way, with a relaxed assessment visit.

At that first visit we look at the teeth that have come through, the gums, the way the mouth closes, and any habits that may affect development, such as prolonged dummy use, the night-time bottle or thumb sucking. You are told what was found and what, if anything, should be done.

Prevention: sealants, fluoride and habits

Most decay in children appears on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and between one tooth and the next. There are three straightforward tools against that:

• Sealants. A thin coating over the deep grooves of the back teeth so food and plaque cannot collect there. They are applied without anaesthetic and checked at every review.
• Fluoride application. As a gel or varnish, to strengthen the enamel. How often it is applied depends on each child's risk of decay.
• Habits at home. Brushing supervised by an adult, the right amount of toothpaste for the age, flossing once teeth are touching, and keeping an eye on how often sweets and sugary drinks are consumed, which matters more than how much.

If check-ups show that the bite or the growth of the jaws is not developing as it should, there is dentofacial orthopaedics: a separate treatment, carried out while the child is still growing, explained and planned at its own assessment visit.

When a child arrives frightened

Fear is common and it is not a behaviour problem. Sometimes it comes from a previous experience, sometimes from having heard at home that going to the dentist is dreadful.

What we do is go slowly: show the instruments before using them, explain in words the child understands, let them touch the mirror or the suction tip, and start with the simplest thing even if that means splitting treatment across more visits. Where local anaesthetic is needed, it is given using a technique suited to children, and they are told beforehand.

If an appointment does not get anywhere, we do not force it. We try again, and that is part of the treatment too.

The parent's role

You influence how your child does in the chair more than you might think.

• Avoid mentioning pain in advance, even to reassure them. Saying it will not hurt plants the idea of hurting.
• Never use a dental appointment as a threat or a punishment.
• Choose appointment times when your child is rested and not hungry.
• Stay with them, but let the dentist lead the conversation during the procedure.
• Supervise brushing at home until your child has the dexterity to do it alone, which usually takes several years.

If you would like to make a start, or it has been a while since your child was last seen, book a paediatric assessment visit at Higienista Oral. Message us on 0312 4869987, call 0312 4869987, or request the appointment through the form on this site.