Here’s a quick game of Jeopardy for you: this medical professional helps children develop lifelong oral health habits and guides parents on their child’s oral development. The answer? ‘What is a pediatric dentist!’
Many parents worry about their child’s oral health and struggle to find reliable resources. That’s where pediatric dentists come in. We provide expert guidance and specialized services to support your child’s dental health development. Read on to learn more about how we can help!
Answering the Question ‘What is a Pediatric Dentist?’
A pediatric dentist is a specialist dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through their teenage years. These dentists have completed additional training beyond dental school to address the specific needs of infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special health needs.
What Services Do Pediatric Dentists Provide?
- Preventative Dental Care: We clean teeth, provide fluoride treatments, and apply sealants to protect your child’s teeth against decay.
- Habit Counseling: If your child is struggling issues like pacifier use and thumb sucking, we can help you develop strategies to break bad habits!
- Early Assessment for Orthodontic Care: We will monitor the child’s bite and jaw alignment through regular visits and ensure everything is developing correctly. If orthodontic treatment is needed, we can refer your child to a great provider.
- Cavities and Tooth Defect Repair: Our main role is to ensure your child’s teeth are healthy and free of decay. Should they develop cavities or other tooth defects, we can help fix the issue!
- Diagnosis of Oral Conditions Associated with Diseases: Early and regular dental visits can help provide information needed to diagnose diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, hay fever, and attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder.
- Management of Gum Diseases and Conditions: Some children develop gum diseases in early childhood including ulcers, short frenulae, mucoceles, and pediatric periodontal disease. If your child struggles with one of these disease, we can help treat and manage symptoms.
- Provide Oral Cancer Screenings: With any cancer, early detection and treatment is critical for getting the best outcomes and oral cancers are no different. We can help identify oral cancers and ensure your child gets appropriate treatment immediately.
- Care for Dental Injuries and Emergencies: Unfortunately, accidents happen. When your child suffers a dental emergency such as fractured, displaced, or knocked-out teeth, a pediatric dentist can help.
Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists specialize in providing comprehensive care tailored to children. Our offices are designed to be child-friendly, filled with colorful decor, games, and books that help make going to the dentist a fun and less intimidating experience. Pediatric dentists will help your child to feel at ease and enjoy taking good care of their teeth.
Are Early Dental Visits Really Important?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child go to the dentist by age one or within six months after their first tooth emerges. Early visits help to establish good oral hygiene habits for your child and will start a lifelong commitment to their healthy smile. As a parent, you’ll also have peace of mind knowing their dental development is on a healthy track.
Ready for Your Child’s First Appointment?
Now that you know the answer to ‘What is a pediatric dentist?’, are you ready to start a lifetime of healthy habits for your child? Regular check-ins on their dental development, cleaning, and screenings are crucial to ensure your child maintains their bright smile for a lifetime. Schedule an appointment with Pediatric Smiles today to start their dental journey!
