Is It Better for Children to See a Pediatric Dentist?
Is there a difference between general dentistry and pediatric dentistry? Yes. More education and training are needed for pediatric dentistry because it is a specialized field. With children, things like behavioral management, developmental issues, or medical conditions that require special care (such as clef pallet) need to be understood. Usually, a few extra years are required beyond regular dental studies to be an effective pediatric dentist. In addition, children are still growing, their mouths are in a constant state of change. Understanding the different stages of growth along with their unique challenges, is also an important part of pediatric dentistry. As is, early detection and treatment of oral diseases and different dental conditions.
Treatments and Techniques for Children
Some children develop dental problems that could be prevented simply by breaking a negative habit such as sucking their thumb. Therefore, even though general dentistry has the same goal of preventing future problems, treatment and application of treatment plans are unique to the needs of children and often have accelerated timelines. Pediatric dentists are also better at identifying genetic disorders and know the value of good nutrition at a young age. In addition to standard dental care like teeth cleaning, cavity prevention, and damage repair, pediatric dentists provide specific care tailored for children like fluoride treatments. They also have a keen eye for future needs and early prevention of gum disease and orthodontic milestones.
Will Your Child Benefit from Seeing a Pediatric Dentist?
Any parent would want to give their child an advantage if available. Seeing a pediatric dentist obviously has its advantages. Pediatric dentists have a good understanding of how children behave and their abilities. Taking a child to a dental professional with the additional training will ensure they receive the best care they can have for their dental needs. It will also ensure they have a positive experience that encourages them to continue going to the dentist far into adulthood. Sometimes early in life the experience is the most important part of visiting the dentist. A positive experience could result in a lack of dental fear, which is the reason 20% of Canadians neglect regular dental checkups.
How Old Should a Child Start Visiting the Dentist?
It is recommended that your child sees a dentist for the first time shortly after they cut their first tooth, or their first birthday. This can seem early, but many toddlers who are only two or three years old have experienced inflamed gums and cavities. Their first visit shouldn’t be for something that is wrong. Rather, you can set them up for a lifetime of associating positive feelings with dental visits by making their dentist part of their team of professionals who care for their health. See post “Prepare Your Child for Their First Visit to Erbsville Dental”.
Erbsville Dental, for the Whole Family
Erbsville Dental is both a general dentist office and qualified as a pediatric dental clinic. Dr. Mathew is trained and experienced for the additional dental needs of children. There are many benefits to having a dentist that you can keep from infancy to adulthood. Having a dentist that knows your mouth from infancy helps if later you need orthodontic work. When wisdom teeth come into play, the advantage of such a dentist is early detection of problems and treatment plans that come from being the best informed. Erbsville Dental also has an onsite maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in wisdom tooth removal. For more information about pediatrics at Erbsville Dental see our “PEDIATRICS” web page.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Accordingly, always seek the advice of your Dentist or other healthcare providers regarding a dental condition or treatment.
