Pediatric Dentistry FAQs
Paying attention to your child’s dental needs is important because it sets a good foundation for life. That is why it is recommended to have a pediatric dentist as part of your child’s healthcare team. Children’s dentists are trained to handle different dental conditions from infancy to their teenage years. This means you don’t have to change dentist until your child is in college.
In this post, we answer some of the common questions about dentistry for children.
1.We Have A Family Dentist; Why Do I Need a Pediatric One?
Family dentists specialize in treating dental conditions in all age groups. You can visit a general dentist for a common dental assessment. However, for complicated dental problems, pediatric dentistry services may be the best option.
Pediatric dentists go through two or more years of specialized training after the initial dental education. They are trained on diagnosing, treating, and preventing the dental condition in children and teenagers. They also learn about behavioral development and milestone as well as child psychology. This means they are trained to handle the different personalities professionally.
2.When Should You Child Visit Kids Pediatric Dentistry?
According to the AAPD (American Association of Pediatric Dentistry), you should visit a pediatric dental clinic when the first tooth comes out, or before their first birthday. This is the best time for the dentist to detect any dental abnormalities and correct them on time.
After that, a visit to the dentist is required every six months or as advised by the dentist.
3.What Does the First Dental Visit Entail?
The first pediatric dental visit lasts about 30 minutes, but it is important. It helps the dentist and the child to establish a rapport. Our dentist in Berwyn will first assess the gums. Using a soft, wet cloth, he will clean the gums of any build-up.
This first visit, though short, can be stressful. Here are some tips to make things easy:
- Make the appointment early, probably in the morning hours.
- Ensure the child is well-fed, dry, and rested to avoid any fussiness
- Carry toys to keep the baby occupied at the clinic
- If you have toddlers, try to explain what the visit is all about
- Relax and keep calm. Remember children can notice when you are nervous
4.What Types of Pediatric Services Do You Offer?
We offer comprehensive pediatric dental services that are guaranteed to maintain your child’s oral health. Our services include:
- Dental exams and cleaning
Although we brush and keep the mouth clean, at times, plaques may still develop. That is why we recommend coming for a routine checkup and cleaning every six months. These checkups are also important because the kids dentist can detect any problem and address it on time.
- Fluoride treatment
We offer fluoride treatment as a preventive measure. Children are at a high risk of developing cavities, and that’s we recommend fluoride.
Fluoride, a natural cavity fighter, strengthens the enamel and makes it less prone to decay.
Fluoride is recommended for children above two years. And, we offer fluoride varnish treatments from age six.
- Dental sealants
Similar to fluoride treatment, sealants are a preventive measure. These are plastic coatings that are applied to the tooth surface to protect the teeth from bacterial attacks. Dental sealants can be applied on any tooth but are more suitable for the molars and premolars. This is because these teeth can trap food easily and give room for bacteria to grow.
Dental sealants are applied to the permanent teeth, and they usually last for ten years.
There are pediatric dental crowns that are fixed on the primary teeth. They work similarly to the sealants. However, they fall off with the primary teeth.
- Orthodontic treatment
This is reserved for children who have malocclusion problems. We have braces and other orthodontic appliances that can help align your child’s teeth.
- Education
We also offer education and information on the developmental milestone, teething, and proper nutrition. The child needs to eat teeth-friendly foods to support their growing jaw.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Lawn Dental Center for more information on pediatric dentistry and the services we offer.