According to the American Dental Association, when your child turns a year old, or when their first tooth comes in, it is time for a trip to a pediatric dentist! A pediatric dentist does many things to ensure your child’s overall dental health is maintained properly. In this article, we will discuss why pediatric dentists are best suited for your child’s dental needs.
After dental school, pediatric dentists continue their education in order to specialize in dental care for children. After 2-3 years of specialized training in pediatric dentistry, a pediatric dentist has the knowledge and expertise to treat the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents.
When Should Your Child Start Seeing a Pediatric Dentist?
From the first visit onward, your child’s comfort is the most important factor when deciding on a dentist. In order to prepare them for adult dentistry, it is important to make sure your child feels comfortable in a safe dental environment. Pediatric dentists have specific knowledge in child behavior and development, and are trained to provide dental care in a safe environment specifically tailored to infants, children, and adolescents.
Not only will a pediatric dentist provide an attentive environment, they are experienced in treating complex conditions that are typically seen in children. Such conditions require the attention of a dentist who sees these conditions everyday, and are uniquely qualified to provide the special care needed to address those conditions.
Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists are also familiar with the developmental stages of a child. This allows them to monitor tooth growth, bite, and other dental habits. According to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use are only a problem if prolonged. Depending on the age of your child, a pediatric dentist can offer strategies that help get your child manage these habits. This includes how to get your child to stop sucking their thumb, how to get your child off of a bottle, and how to tame any other dental related habits your child may have that can affect their dental health adversely.
Another important reason for seeing a pediatric dentist is to receive information that is critical in preventive dental care. Families are informed on how diet can impact a child’s overall dental health from a very early age, making it easier to adjust diet as needed as the child grows older. Providing a dental home by the first year of a child’s life allows for the establishment of a strategy that includes dietary recommendations, unique to the child, as teeth begin to erupt. Diet is a large factor in determining dental health, and requires foods rich in nutrients to ensure that the child’s oral and overall health is maintained from an early age.
Why Seeing Pediatric Dentist & Kids Dental Care Can be Beneficial
In addition to providing knowledge to start a healthy diet early on, pediatric dentists also take precautionary measures in order to prevent cavities, such as regular cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants. Having access to regular cleanings from a young age will prepare the child for future visits and will also start healthy oral hygiene habits. Additionally, fluoride is an important part of every child’s dental health because it is a mineral that helps to prevent tooth decay and strengthens the outer layer of the child’s teeth. Exposing your child to these factors from an early age helps to ensure that your child will have healthy teeth.
Pediatric dentists are trained to offer guidance and knowledge on dental health tailored to infants through adolescents. In offering expertise in this field, children will receive the best dental care based on your child’s unique needs, securing a safe future for your child’s overall health.
