Baby teeth set the foundation for healthy permanent teeth. It is important to keep the teeth clean and teach children to brush and floss. Dental visits have to be early and frequent to monitor the development of the teeth. The baby teeth serve as place holders for the permanent teeth. Sealants are a thin coating placed on the biting surfaces of the back teeth to prevent cavities. Routine professional cleaning and fluoride treatment are essential to ensure a life time of healthy teeth.

The emphasis in pediatric practice is laid on early detection and treatment of problems affecting children, interception for irregularities observed during the growth and alignment of teeth and also prevention of dental decay.

Sealants are resins or plastic materials which are usually applied on to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth i.e. molars and premolars. These materials flow into the natural grooves and pits, and seal them, thus protecting these susceptible areas from decay.

Professional fluoride applications at regular intervals helps strengthen tooth enamel against cavities.

The pulp of a tooth is the inner, central core of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue and reparative cells. The purpose of pulp therapy in Pediatric Dentistry is to maintain the vitality of the affected tooth (so the tooth is not lost).

Dental caries (cavities) and traumatic injury are the main reasons for a tooth to require pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as a "nerve treatment", "children's root canal", "pulpectomy" or "pulpotomy". The two common forms of pulp therapy in children's teeth are the pulpotomy and pulpectomy.

• A pulpotomy removes the diseased pulp tissue within the crown portion of the tooth. Next, an agent is placed to prevent bacterial growth and to calm the remaining nerve tissue. This is followed by a final restoration (usually a stainless steel crown).
• A pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved (into the root canal(s) of the tooth). During this treatment, the diseased pulp tissue is completely removed from both the crown and root. The canals are cleansed, disinfected and, in the case of primary teeth, filled with a resorbable material. Then, a final restoration is placed. A permanent tooth would be filled with a non-resorbing material.

Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.

1. Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages 2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger or thumb sucking. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
2. Stage II – Mixed Dentition:  This period covers the ages of 6 to 12 years, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and 6 year molars. Treatment concerns deal with jaw malrelationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment, when indicated, as your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
3. Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.

A milk tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. Unfortunately, some children loase a milk tooth too soon. If this happens, the teeth beside it may move into the empty space resulting in lack of space for the permanent teeth, leading to crowding. This can be prevented by the use of Space Maintainers.