It is well known that prevention is always better than cure. The ideal age for a child's first dental visit is 5-6 years old.

This visit is essential to detect early oral health issues and to educate both children and parents on proper oral hygiene habits and a balanced diet.

Baby teeth, besides performing the same physiological functions as permanent teeth (smile aesthetics, chewing, speech), also have other critical roles that must be preserved:

• Proper development of the jawbone and mandible;
• Maintaining the necessary space for permanent teeth to emerge;
• Preventing cavities in adjacent healthy teeth (including permanent teeth).

Neglecting a decayed baby tooth can lead to pulpitis (which causes severe pain for the child), destruction of the tooth structure, and even the eventual loss of the tooth.

If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the space it occupied may be lost due to the movement of permanent teeth. This can cause crowding of the adult teeth, which may only be corrected later with orthodontic treatment.

Preventive treatments for baby teeth include fluoride therapy and sealants.

If a cavity develops, several treatments can be performed to save and maintain the baby tooth until its natural exfoliation.

Depending on the depth of the cavity and the vitality of the tooth, the following treatments may be performed:

• Dental filling – used when the cavity is still shallow.
• Pulpotomy – if the cavity has reached the nerve but the tooth is still alive, the pulp is removed only from the pulp chamber while leaving the root nerves intact, preserving the tooth’s vitality.
• Pulpectomy – when the infection has compromised the tooth's vitality, leading to abscesses or fistulas (small bumps on the gums), a root canal treatment is attempted. If unsuccessful, the baby tooth is extracted.

Keeping baby teeth in place until their natural loss is crucial to maintaining adequate space in the dental arch and preventing future malocclusions.

A child's occlusion development can be screened early to detect potential malocclusions or skeletal imbalances in the jaw or maxilla.

During the first visit, all oral functions (breathing, swallowing, chewing, speech) are monitored to identify harmful habits that may affect the normal development of the child’s mouth.

Identifying abnormalities early during growth allows for correction with minimally invasive orthodontic treatments, avoiding the need for more complex, prolonged, and expensive treatments in the future.

A proper psychological approach to children is essential to avoid creating future dental anxiety. Sometimes, patience and a calm, affectionate manner make a huge difference in treating uncooperative children.

However, in cases where children have experienced dental trauma in the past, treatment may require conscious sedation.

For years, we have been fully equipped to provide dental care using conscious sedation, ensuring maximum safety for young patients.

With this sedation method, the child will not remember the dental procedure, eliminating any trauma and fostering trust in the dentist.

Dr. Marco Pitino and Dr. Oriana Zocco are the specialists dedicated to young patients.

Dr. Marco is an expert in treating and preventing dental maocclusions while Dr. Zocco is an expert in treating and preserving the health of baby teeth.