Pedodontics is a Latin-derived term that means “child teeth.” It is also known as pediatric dentistry and aims to maintain the healthy development of milk and permanent teeth in children aged 0 to 13. Children’s teeth may develop problems due to decay, genetics, or trauma, which Pedodontics addresses through treatment.

Pedodontics monitors mouth, jaw, and tooth development from infancy and takes preventive measures to prevent potential problems. The procedures applied for this purpose are called preventive dentistry, which deals with issues such as regulating children’s eating habits and taking preventive measures for children at high risk of decay.

What Does Pedodontics Involve?

The procedures performed in Pedodontics are vital because they aim to maintain children’s oral health and prevent them from developing a fear of the dentist.

The procedures include:

• Assessing the child’s risk of decay and designing a customized preventive program.

• Educating children and families about oral and dental care.

• Regulating children’s eating habits.

• Performing procedures to prevent tooth decay (such as fissure sealants and fluoride applications).

• Performing restorative and endodontic treatments on milk and permanent teeth.

• Regularly monitoring children’s tooth and jaw development.

• Applying preventive orthodontic treatments.

• Providing treatments to stop bad oral habits such as thumb sucking and nail biting.

• Performing extractions of milk teeth.

• Creating space maintainers and pediatric prostheses, if necessary, after milk tooth extractions.

• Providing follow-up care and treatments for dental trauma.