Pediatric dentistry is a preventive and developmental discipline that deals with the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents, with emphasis on growth, behavior, habits, and disease prevention.
Children are not miniature adults.
Their teeth, jaws, oral tissues, psychology, and habits are continuously evolving. Pediatric dentistry focuses on understanding this dynamic process and intervening at the right time—often before disease begins.
Dental caries in children is a multifactorial disease influenced by:
Frequent sugar exposure
Poor oral hygiene
Night-time bottle feeding
Lack of fluoride
Delayed dental visits
Why caries progress faster in children:
Thinner enamel
Larger pulp chambers
Poor plaque control
Limited pain perception in early stages
Prevention is always more effective than treatment.
Oral hygiene instruction for parents and children
Professional cleaning when indicated
Fluoride application
Pit and fissure sealants
Dietary counseling
Preventive dentistry aims to maintain health, not merely treat disease.
Oral habits are learned or reflex actions that can significantly influence jaw growth and tooth position.
Normal up to 3–4 years
Harmful if persistent beyond this age
Possible effects:
Proclined maxillary incisors
Increased overjet
Anterior open bite
Narrow maxillary arch
Often associated with:
Adenoids
Nasal obstruction
Allergies
Dental effects:
Long face syndrome
Narrow palate
Anterior open bite
Gingival inflammation
Tongue positioned between teeth during swallowing
Effects:
Open bite
Speech difficulties
Proclined incisors
Can cause localized malocclusion
Soft tissue trauma
Increased risk of infection
Thumb sucking before 3–4 years
Transitional tongue thrust during early dentition
These often resolve naturally as the child grows.
Thumb sucking beyond 4–5 years
Persistent mouth breathing
Established tongue thrust in mixed dentition
These require early intervention, habit counseling, or appliances.
Ideally by 12 months of age or within 6 months of the first tooth eruption.
Yes. Milk teeth are essential for chewing, speech development, and guiding permanent teeth into correct position.
Every 6 months, unless advised otherwise.
Yes. We use low-radiation digital X-rays only when necessary and with proper protection.
Frequent sugary foods, poor brushing habits, prolonged bottle feeding, and lack of fluoride protection.
Yes, if it continues beyond 4–5 years, as it may affect jaw and tooth alignment.
