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SERVICES / Dental Care For Children

Pediatric dentistry

Seeking specialized dental care for your child? At Smilerite Dental Care, we prioritize your child’s oral health with expert pediatric dentistry. As a leading pediatric dentist in Abu Dhabi, trust us to keep their smiles bright and healthy.

SERVICES / Dental Care For Children

Pediatric dentistry

Seeking specialized dental care for your child? At Smilerite Dental Care, we prioritize your child’s oral health with expert pediatric dentistry. Trust us to keep their smiles bright and healthy.

Girl smiling during dental consultation.

Developing a dental checkup routine helps children understand the importance to keeping teeth healthy. It also helps children familiarize the dental environment.

At Smilerite, we want your child’s dental visit to be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Getting to know the dentist and staff helps the child build trust and feel at ease for future dental visits.

At our office, we take extra care in painless dentistry for not only adults but also in young patients. We use dental care techniques to calm young children. With adequate pain control, you will be surprised how the children will let us do whatever is necessary.

Our young patients can watch a movie or listen to music during the dental procedure to block the unpleasant noise. This can help the child minimize the fear.

Girl smiling during dental consultation.

Pediatric Dentistry for a Comfortable Dental Checkup Routine

Developing a dental checkup routine helps children understand the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and get used to the dental environment.

At Smilerite, we strive to make your child’s visit with our pediatric dentist in Abu Dhabi as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Building trust with our dentist and staff helps children feel at ease for future visits.

We prioritize painless pediatric dentistry for both adults and young patients. We use techniques to calm young children, ensuring a positive experience. Effective pain control often leads children to cooperate fully.

To reduce fear, young patients can watch a movie or listen to music during the procedure to block out unpleasant noises.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all foods and water supplies. The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations, including those specializing in pediatric dentistry.

Dentist and Assistant Performing Checkup
Dentist and Assistant Performing Checkup

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all foods and water supplies. The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations.

Fluoride works in two ways:

  • Topical fluoride strengthens the teeth once they have erupted by seeping into the outer surface of the tooth enamel, making the teeth more resistant to decay. We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride-containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels. Pediatric dentists and dental hygienists generally recommend that children have a professional application of fluoride twice a year during dental check-ups
  • Systemic fluoride strengthens erupted teeth and those developing under the gums. We get systemic fluoride from most foods and community water supplies. It is also available as a supplement in drop or gel form, which your dentist or physician can prescribe. Generally, we recommend fluoride drops for infants and tablets for children through their teen years. Monitoring fluoride intake is crucial. Excessive fluoride consumption during tooth development can cause fluorosis (white spots on the teeth). While most people get fluoride from food and water, it might not always be sufficient to prevent decay. Your dentist or dental hygienist might suggest home and/or professional fluoride treatments for various reasons:
  • Deep pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
  • Exposed and sensitive root surfaces.
  • Fair to poor oral hygiene habits.
  • Frequent sugar and carbohydrate intake.
  • Inadequate exposure to fluorides.
  • Inadequate saliva flow due to medical conditions, medical treatments or medications.
  • Recent history of dental decay.

Sealants

A sealant is a thin, plastic coating that dentists apply to the chewing surface of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay starts in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and highly susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves and creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years but require regular checks for wear and chipping at dental visits.

Reasons for Sealants:

  • Children and Teenagers: Apply sealants as soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or at any time during the cavity-prone years of 6-16.
  • Adults: Use sealants on tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions.
  • Baby Teeth: Occasionally apply sealants if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and the child is cavity-prone.
Stomatologist Setting Dental Sealants
Stomatologist Setting Dental Sealants

Sealants

A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.

Reasons for sealants:

Children and teenagers – As soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or any time throughout the cavity prone years of 6-16.

Adults – Tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions.

Baby teeth – Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and child is cavity prone.

 
Child smiling, pointing to missing front teeth.

Pulp Therapy

The “pulp” of a tooth cannot be seen with the naked eye. Pulp is found at the center of each tooth, and is comprised of nerves, tissue, and many blood vessels, which work to channel vital nutrients and oxygen. There are several ways in which pulp can be damaged. Most commonly in children, tooth decay or traumatic injury leads to painful pulp exposure and inflammation.

Pediatric pulp therapy is known by several other names, including: root canal, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, and nerve treatment. The primary goal of pulp therapy is to treat, restore, and save the affected tooth.

Dentists perform pulp therapy on both primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Though primary teeth are eventually shed, they are needed for speech production, proper chewing, and to guide the proper alignment and spacing of permanent teeth.

Pulp Therapy

You cannot see the “pulp” of a tooth with the naked eye. Located at the center of each tooth, pulp consists of nerves, tissue, and many blood vessels that channel vital nutrients and oxygen. Several factors can damage the pulp. In children, tooth decay or traumatic injury often causes painful pulp exposure and inflammation.

Pediatric pulp therapy, a key aspect of pediatric dentistry and dental care for children, goes by several names, including root canal, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, and nerve treatment. The primary goal of pulp therapy is to treat, restore, and save the affected tooth.

Dentists perform pulp therapy on both primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Though primary teeth eventually fall out, they are crucial for speech production, proper chewing, and guiding the alignment and spacing of permanent teeth.

Child smiling, pointing to missing front teeth.

What are the signs of pulp injury and infection?

Inflamed or injured pulp is exceptionally painful. Even if the source of the pain isn’t visible, it will quickly become obvious that the child needs to see the pediatric dentist.

Here are some of the other signs to look for:

  • Constant unexplained pain.
  • Nighttime pain.
  • Sensitivity to warm and cool food temperatures.
  • Swelling or redness around the affected tooth.
  • Unexpected looseness or mobility of the affected tooth.
 

When should a child undergo pulp therapy?

Every situation is unique. The dentist assesses the age of the child, the positioning of the tooth, and the general health of the child before making a recommendation to extract the tooth or to save it via pulp therapy, considering principles of pediatric dentistry.

Some of the undesirable consequences of prematurely extracted/missing teeth are listed below:

  • Arch length may shorten.
  • In the case of primary tooth loss, permanent teeth may lack sufficient space to emerge.
  • Opposing teeth may grow in a protruding or undesirable way.
  • Premolars may become painfully impacted.
  • Remaining teeth may “move” to fill the gap.
  • The tongue may posture abnormally.

How is pulp therapy performed?

tooth2

Initially, the pediatric dentist will perform visual examinations and evaluate X-rays of the affected areas. The amount and location of pulp damage dictate the nature of the treatment. Although there are several treatments available, pediatric pulpotomy and pulpectomy procedures are among the most commonly performed in pediatric dentistry.

Pulpotomy Procedure in Pediatric Dentistry:

Pulpotomy – If the pulp root remains unaffected by injury or decay, meaning that the problem is isolated in the pulp tip, the dentist may leave the healthy part alone and only remove the affected pulp and surrounding tooth decay. The resulting gap is then filled with a biocompatible, therapeutic material, which prevents infection and soothes the pulp root. Most commonly, a crown is placed on the tooth after treatment. The crown strengthens the tooth structure, minimizing the risk of future fractures.

Pulpotomy treatment is extremely versatile. It can be performed as a standalone treatment on baby teeth and growing permanent teeth, or as the initial step in a full root canal treatment.

Pulpectomy Procedure and Its Application in Pediatric Dentistry:

Pulpectomy – In the case of severe tooth decay or trauma, the entire tooth pulp (including the root canals) may be affected. In these circumstances, the dentist must remove the pulp, cleanse the root canals, and then pack the area with biocompatible material. This usually takes several office visits.

In general, reabsorbable material is used to fill primary teeth, and non-reabsorbable material is used to fill permanent teeth. Either way, the final treatment step is to place a crown on the tooth to add strength and provide structural support. The crown can be a natural-colored covering or stainless steel.

Habit Breaking Appliance

Thumb sucking can be a harder habit to break and tends to persist for longer without intervention. Children who continue to suck thumbs or pacifiers after the age of five (and particularly those who continue after permanent teeth begin to emerge) are at high-risk for developing dental complications.

Interior view of a mandible with a habit-breaking appliance on a dental model.
Interior view of a mandible with a habit-breaking appliance on a dental model.

Habit Breaking Appliance

Thumb sucking can be a harder habit to break and tends to persist for longer without intervention. Children who continue to suck thumbs or pacifiers after the age of five (and particularly those who continue after permanent teeth begin to emerge) are at high-risk for developing dental complications.

How can thumb sucking and pacifier use damage children’s teeth?

Jaw misalignment:  Pacifiers come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, most of which are completely unnatural for the mouth to hold. Over time, pacifiers and thumbs can guide the developing jaws out of correct alignment.

Tooth decay: Many parents attempt to soothe infants by dipping pacifiers in honey, or some other sugary substance. Oral bacteria feed on sugar and emit harmful acids. The acids attack tooth enamel and can lead to pediatric tooth decay and childhood caries.

Roof narrowing: The structures in the mouth are extremely pliable during childhood. Prolonged, repeated exposure to thumb and pacifier sucking actually cause the roof of the mouth to narrow (as if molding around the sucking device). This can cause later problems with developing teeth.

Slanting teeth: Growing teeth can be caused to slant or protrude by thumb and pacifier sucking, leading to poor esthetic results. In addition, thumb sucking and pacifier use in later childhood increase the need for extensive orthodontic treatments.

Mouth sores: Passive sucking is much less harmful than aggressive sucking. Aggressive sucking (popping sounds when the child sucks) may cause sores or ulcers to develop.

When can my child begin early orthodontic treatment?

Little boy at dentist's office.

Sports guard or Mouth guards

Protect Your Teeth during Sports Activities with a Mouth Guard

Custom-designed mouth guards are made of flexible plastic and molded to fit the shape of your teeth, making them more comfortable than readymade ones. Pediatric dentistry often emphasizes the importance of mouth guards for children involved in sports.

Mouth guards are recommended to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw during sports activities such as hockey, rugby, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, or any other activity where your mouth may get hit.

Specialist Pediatric

Dr. Ruchi Ahuja
Specialist Pediatric Dentist

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Dr Ruchi Thakur Ravindra Ahuja

Dr. Ruchi Ahuja Thakur

Specialist Pediatric Dentist, MDS (India)

  • Member of leading Pediatric dental associations
  • Published researcher in Pediatric Dentistry
  • 15 years of providing compassionate dental healthcare to children
  • Myobrace (Oral Myofunctional Therapy) provider
  • Speaks Hindi and English
  • 12+ years of experience


Dr. Ruchi Ahuja Thakur is a Specialist Pediatric Dentist at Smilerite Dental Care with over 12 years of experience. She completed her MDS in Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry in 2011 and excels in preventive, interceptive, and restorative care for children, including pulp therapy, pulpotomy, and apexogenesis. Skilled in behavior guidance and treating children with special medical or physical needs, she also practices conscious sedation to ensure comfort and quality care. Passionate about supervising orofacial growth and promoting oral health, Dr. Ruchi balances her professional dedication with personal interests, enjoying reading, crafting, travel, and exploring cuisines with her family.

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