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What is pediatric dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry focuses on children’s dental care from birth through the teen years. The dental treatments performed most frequently by kids’ dentists include:
- Risk assessments for tooth decay (caries) in both the mother and child
- Counseling for habits such as thumb-sucking
- Treatment for correcting an improper bite such as an overbite and underbite
- Treatment of cavities
- Diagnosis of oral health issues associated with other ailments such as diabetes, asthma, congenital heart disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Repair of cracked, fractured, damaged or knocked-out teeth and treatment for mouth injuries
Even infants and young children are not immune to oral infections and conditions. If you have a child who is suffering from such problems, call us today.
What are pediatric dentists?
Pediatric dentists and pediatric oral surgeons are devoted to the oral health of children from the time they’re infants to when they’re teenagers. A pediatric dentist is able to maintain a child’s teeth and gums throughout their entire childhood. Most children tend to get their first teeth by the time the are six months old. Typically, when a child turns six or seven their baby teeth begin to fall out and are replaced with permanent ones.
If a child doesn’t receive appropriate pediatric dental care, they run the risk of having tooth decay and developing oral diseases. In fact, tooth decay, also called dental caries, has been proven to be five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hayfever.
To combat these issues, a toddler dentist must have completed at least four years of dental school and two extra years in residency. During their residency, a kid’s dentist gets training in dentistry for babies, toddlers, children who have special needs and teenagers. They can then decide if they want to continue their education and become a pediatric oral surgeon or specialize in pediatric periodontics.
When should I take my child to the dentist?
Every child should be seen by a kids’ dentist by the time they turn one or two years old. During their visit, one of our highly trained children’s dentists will inspect the child’s teeth for any potential signs of tooth decay or disease.
Once the examination is complete, the dentist typically will perform a cleaning where they gently remove the plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums. In the event the child needs surgical intervention, a pediatric oral surgeon is available for consultation.
Although children can be afraid of kids’ dentists, that doesn’t mean the experience has to be miserable. There are various ways to make the visit more enjoyable for them. One of the most effective methods is rewarding them with a healthy treat or a small trinket after the appointment is over.
What to expect during the first visit
During the first appointment, the child will have X-rays taken, a teeth cleaning and a pediatric periodontics assessment from one of our gentle dentists. One of our pediatric dental specialists will create a treatment plan and estimate the cost of dental care. The cost of pediatric dental visit appointments will vary depending on the procedures needed. Call us to schedule your child’s first dental consultation.
Is a dental cleaning for kids painful?
No, not at all. Teeth cleanings for kids are quite similar to those performed on adults, just with a gentler touch. We use specialized dental tools that are specifically made to fit comfortably into smaller mouths.
You’ll be able to ask questions about the issues your child may be experiencing with their teeth. These can include teething, thumb-sucking, gingivitis and tooth decay.
How do I find a dentist for special needs kids?
We know that the dentist’s office can be a scary place for children, and even more so for kids with special needs. Our kids’ dentists have had multiple years of specialized pediatric training, including various sedation methods and behavior management techniques to keep a child calm. Call our children’s pediatric dentistry office today to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members. We will gladly give you details about how our dentists treat children with special needs.
While it is important to keep your child’s mouth healthy at all times, it’s crucial that you have a dentist you can trust. That’s where we come in. Our professional pediatric dental specialists will make sure your child’s teeth are always sparkling and healthy while making them feel safe. Schedule an appointment today with one of our children’s dentists.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed for your health and wellness needs. Pay for the costs of many treatments and procedures through convenient monthly payments.
