Pediatric Dentistry
(Pedodontics)

Our children do not have enough awareness about dental health and its importance. Since dental care is a sensitive issue, a great responsibility falls on families and dentists.

When Do Babies’ Baby Teeth Come Out?

Average 5-6 in babies. The first milk tooth comes out in the anterior region between the last month. 30-36. By the end of the month, the eruption of all milk teeth is complete. There are a total of 20 primary teeth, 10 of which are in the lower jaw and 10 in the upper jaw.

Delayed dentition may be associated with diseases such as hypothyroidism, rickets and mongolism. A baby whose first tooth has not erupted despite being 13 months old should definitely be examined by a pediatrician.

When Does the First Permanent Tooth Come Out?

Starting from the front teeth in the lower jaw at the age of 6, the anterior incisors change until the end of the age of 8. From the age of 9 until the age of 12, the other posterior group milk teeth change and leave their places to permanent teeth (permanent teeth).

At the same time, when the child is 6 years old, permanent first molars erupt behind the last milk molars in the back of the jaws. Often, parents are not aware of the importance of these teeth. And as a result of not brushing that area well, the teeth may decay very quickly and require challenging treatments.

When should the first dental examination be?

The first dental examination can be done after six months with the eruption of the first milk tooth. Depending on your child’s caries risk level, you should visit the pedodontist every 3 or 6 months and have the examination and necessary controls done.

Oral and Dental Care for Children

Children do not have awareness about the importance of oral and dental health. Baby and Child dental care is a particularly sensitive issue. The biggest task in this regard falls on families and pediatric dentists.

After the baby teeth start to come out, a toothbrush should be bought in colors and patterns that are suitable for the child, and the child should be introduced to the brush. Cleaning of teeth during infancy should be done by the parents by massaging the teeth and gums after feeding in the morning and evening, with the help of tooth cleaning wipes, cheesecloth-like cloth or sterile gauze.

In the transition period from infancy to childhood, milk teeth have an important role in chewing as well as supporting jaw development and speech function. For this reason, it should be kept in the mouth until the permanent tooth comes out. Deciduous teeth damaged by different reasons such as caries or trauma are kept in the mouth until the normal falling age with different treatments.

Why Do Milk Tooth Decay?

In infancy, the situation we call early childhood caries (baby bottle caries) due to breast milk, which is the main food, is frequently encountered. The sugar content of breast milk, which is very important for growth and development, especially giving breast milk at bedtime so that children can sleep comfortably, and the lakes of milk in the mouth increase the risk of tooth decay. As a result of the decrease in the saliva that protects the teeth against acid attacks during sleep and the sugar content of the mother’s milk lowering the mouth pH to negative, cavities can be seen in the teeth at very early ages. When there is caries in milk teeth, treatment options differ according to the age of the child, the condition of the tooth and the cooperation of the child.

Milk Tooth Filling Treatment

In the presence of cavities in the form of fractures in the teeth in the early stage, fillings can be applied to the primary teeth. Since the primary teeth are a separate tooth independent of the permanent tooth underneath, the filling does not harm the underlying tooth in any way.

Dental Treatment with Sedation and General Anesthesia in Children

Treatments under sedation or general anesthesia can be performed for our pediatric patients who are uncooperative or fearful for dental treatments.