First things first, regular visits to a pediatric dentist are key for your child’s dental health. Ideally, you will want to initiate dental check-ups during infancy to be able to detect potential issues that might affect their smile early on before they get out of hand.
An expert kids’ dental specialist in Singapore can help you create a tailored treatment or oral care plan depending on your child’s age to ensure a healthy dental development. Early interventions can help with issues like alignment problems, decay and habits that can impact your baby’s smile.
What’s more, these visits can instill positive dental habits for your baby to enjoy a lifetime of good oral hygiene. This page explores the different treatment options that your kid’s dental specialist in Singapore may recommend to improve your baby’s smile. It also touches on what you can do at home to protect your baby’s teeth. Keep reading!
What is the best Treatment for Perfect Smile for Babies?
First things first, there are several factors that can impact your baby’s smile. One of the most common issues though is tooth decay which is often due to improper feeding practices, frequent sugary intake, or inadequate oral hygiene.
Other common contributors include thumb-sucking, pacifier use beyond recommended ages, or prolonged bottle-feeding. These may lead to alignment problems or bite issues which can later on affect your baby’s smile.
The good news is that there are several treatment options that can help with such issues. A skilled kid’s dental specialist will assess the extent of damage on your baby’s teeth and then tailor a treatment plan depending on their age. Here are some of the treatments that your pediatric dentist may suggest to improve your baby’s smile;
· Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to enhance the color of teeth. Typically, this treatment occurs after removing plaque, tartar, and other debris from the tooth’s surface.
For parents who are concerned with their children’s tooth color, there are various options you can discuss with their pediatric dentist. Teeth whitening may be ideal if the child is scared to smile for fear of the colored teeth getting exposed.
Whitening treatments for kids are typically milder than those for adults. They’re made with gentle formulas suited for young teeth.
· Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are common in pediatric dentistry for decay restoration. The process involves cleaning and removing decayed portions of the tooth before applying the filling in layers.
This composite material is shaped and polished to match the natural color of the tooth. Fillings help restore the tooth’s integrity and are suitable for repairing small to moderate cavities in baby teeth.
· Crowns
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps made from composite materials. Your kid’s dental specialist in Singapore may recommend them for extensively damaged, cracked, or chipped teeth.
When placed and cemented, they cover the affected tooth to provide strength and durability. Crowns can endure the wear and tear of chewing and protect weakened teeth. They are recommended for children with severe decay or dental trauma that affects the integrity of their tooth structure.
· No Prep Veneers
Veneers, including no-prep veneers for kids, can address missing, decayed, or underdeveloped teeth without invasive procedures. These veneers are made from composite resin and are applied only to the front surfaces of teeth.
They can help improve appearance without removing natural tooth structure. They’re beneficial for chipped, discolored, misaligned, or irregularly spaced teeth in children.
· Bonding
Dental bonding involves using tooth-colored composite resin to replace missing tooth structures. The composite resin can also be used to conceal minor imperfections like chips or discoloration.
After cleaning and preparing the tooth surface, the resin is applied and adhered using a special blue light tool. This non-invasive treatment helps improve the appearance of a child’s smile without extensive alterations to the natural tooth structure.
· Flippers
Dental flippers are preferred in cases of dental trauma or cavities in children. Essentially, these are temporary removable dentures that can help fix smiles.
Since dental implants are not recommended for kids, a flipper mimics the appearance of a missing tooth. It provides confidence to children during their developmental years until they are old enough for more permanent restorative treatments like implants.
How can I preserve my Baby’s Teeth at Home?
While seeing your kid’s dental specialist in Singapore is a trusted way to fix issues that may impact your baby’s dental health, there are several other things you can do at home to preserve your baby’s teeth. The first and most basic one is cleaning their gums.
Do this using a soft, damp cloth after feeding to remove bacteria. It is good practice to begin cleaning your baby’s gums even before the teeth emerge. Once the teeth appear, you can use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants to gently brush them with water.
You will also want to limit sugary foods and drinks, especially before bedtime, to prevent tooth decay. Most importantly, avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water to prevent “baby bottle tooth decay.” Also, encourage drinking from a regular cup as they grow.
To minimize the risk of breaking teeth, the first thing you will want to do is supervise your baby during play. This is particularly important when they start exploring solid foods. Most importantly, do not allow your baby to use their teeth to open things or chew on hard objects.
To prevent misalignment, discourage thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond age two. This is important as such prolonged habits can affect dental alignment.
And not to forget, maintain regular visits to your kid’s dental specialist in Singapore. As you now understand, these professionals cannot only offer tailored guidance but also monitor your baby’s dental development and address concerns early. Most importantly, they may suggest fluoride treatments or dental sealants for added protection.
The Bottom Line
Early consideration of dental treatments by a pediatric dentist could be what you need to maintain your child’s oral health. When seeing a kid’s dental specialist in Singapore for these treatments, be sure to understand the procedures to be able to make informed decisions about your child’s dental care.
These treatments don’t replace regular dental checkups though. Even after treatment, you will still need to maintain regular visits to the pediatric dentist for assessment of treatment progress and to maintain the health of your baby’s teeth.
Do you have any inquiries on your kid’s dental treatment or want to see a pediatric dentist to assess your baby’s teeth? Pick a date today for a consultation with An Dental. For inquiries, call or visit us at;
An Dental – Orchard Dentist | Dental Implant | Wisdom Tooth Extraction | Kids Dentistry Singapore
International Building (Next to Lido)
360 Orchard Road #03-06/07
Singapore 238869