Paediatric Dentistry

Common paediatric-oral-health concerns

1. Childhood dental caries

Children’s diets often contain soft, sticky, high-sugar foods which easily ferment and produce acid. Young children cannot clean their teeth thoroughly, leaving food debris and plaque on tooth surfaces. Primary teeth have thinner enamel and dentin with lower mineralisation and weaker acid-resistance. These factors lead to a high caries rate in deciduous teeth, with early onset, rapid progression and often no obvious early symptoms.

2. Pulp and periapical diseases in children

Untreated caries may progress into pulpitis and periapical infection. Severe periapical inflammation of primary teeth can damage the underlying permanent-tooth germ and cause enamel hypoplasia (Turner’s tooth). Root-tip infection may trigger alveolar-bone destruction, abnormal root resorption or retained root fragments, resulting in early or delayed eruption of permanent teeth, disturbed eruption sequence and dental crowding.

3. Dental trauma in children

Active children are prone to falls and collisions which may cause tooth injuries. Prompt dental consultation is required after trauma. If a permanent tooth is completely avulsed (knocked-out), store the tooth under your child’s tongue or in milk, and visit the dental emergency clinic immediately for replantation. Cold-water storage is not recommended.

4. Retained primary teeth

When a primary tooth fails to shed at the expected age while its permanent successor has already erupted, a “double-row-teeth” condition occurs. Retained baby-teeth may increase the risk of malocclusion and caries. A dental-radiograph is required before deciding whether extraction is necessary.

Early intervention for children’s dental problems always brings better outcomes. The sooner problems are detected, the less damage will occur and the simpler the treatment. Regular dental check-ups are strongly recommended to protect primary and young permanent teeth, enabling early prevention, detection and management.

Pujing Dental Clinic provides oral-health care and dental treatment for children aged 0-12 years old, with a dedicated, independent paediatric-dental room. The growth and replacement of teeth mark every child’s development. Our clinic focuses on preventive care and comfortable child-friendly treatment, helping children build lifelong healthy oral-hygiene habits.