From cavities to gingivitis, Dr Premila Naidu, founder and director, Small Bites, lists the common dental problems that children suffer from and the treatments they can avail. Small Bites is an exclusive dental care clinic for kids in Bengaluru with child-themed consultation rooms, toys and play area.
What are the common dental problems in children?
A: Typically, most children suffer from:
How young are your patients?
A: We treat infants, toddlers and young adults up to the age of 14 years. The youngest patient we have treated is a newborn with a natal tooth. This tooth had to be removed as it was causing problems with feeding.
We offer treatments from general check-ups to complex treatments.
General check-ups include early diagnosis and risk assessment related to oral health. We offer advice on prevention of cavities, always better than restoration, which is also provided here. We offer consultation on pulpectomy, crowns, trauma prevention and management, braces and extraction. Apart from that, we also offer tooth extraction services and provide advice on how to maintain space in the mouth during the eruption of permanent teeth, cosmetic treatments and habit-breaking appliance.
How early can children go for corrective treatments like braces?
A: Although there is no exact age when a child should get braces, it is recommended that children visit an orthodontist for the first time no later than age seven. Corrective treatment like braces is one way of ensuring proper alignment and straightening of permanent teeth when they start erupting. However, the time when permanent teeth start erupting is when it is considered ideal to be going in for corrective treatment like braces. If one is considering braces for their children, it is best to go in for advice from an orthodontist as early as possible and do the necessary checks and detect any abnormalities.
Some habit-breaking braces are given as young as four years to help the jaw grow better.
Are there any specific products that the children should be using?
A: The products that can be specifically used by children are:
Is paediatric dental care and treatment tougher than adult dental care?
A: Yes, paediatric dentistry is difficult compared to adult dental care. This is because of the inability of the child to explain the problem they are facing and understand the severity of the situation. Hence, children need to be imbibed with the notion of appropriate dental care from their childhood.