A pediatric dentist is dedicated to looking after and preserving the oral health of children from the time they are infants through the various stages of childhood, all the way to their teen years. Over and above the usual four years of dental school, we have received additional training, thus are eminently qualified to focus on prevention, early detection, and treating dental diseases in infants, children, and adolescents. We also have an understanding of child psychology, behavior control, growth, and development and offer the latest techniques in dental and orthodontic care.
Why Is It Important For My Child To See A Pediatric Dentist?
Why Is It Important For My Child To See A Pediatric Dentist?
It is important to get your children an early start in dental care and instill a good oral hygiene routine in them. Your child's initial visit to our office should take place right after their first tooth comes in, but no later than their first birthday. Helping children plan visits to our office from the time they are very little will help establish his, or her, trust in the dentist and will set them on the path to taking good care of their teeth as they get older. Additionally, the earlier your child begins regular visits to the dentist, the earlier, we will be able to detect, and treat, any budding problems, thus avoiding unnecessary cavities or extensive dental treatment. Cavities that are neglected often times lead to problems which affect permanent teeth that are developing. Without proper dental care, children face possible tooth decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications.
Dental caries is now more common among young children that asthma or hay fever. Approximately 4 million preschoolers suffer from tooth decay, a number that has grown by more than 600,000 children in the last ten years, which is a significant increase. More alarmingly, studies have shown that children with poor oral health suffer in school, do not do well socially, and are less successful later in their lives. Therefore, the importance of early and often visits to a pediatric dentist is critically important.
Prevention Is Key
Dental caries is now more common among young children that asthma or hay fever. Approximately 4 million preschoolers suffer from tooth decay, a number that has grown by more than 600,000 children in the last ten years, which is a significant increase. More alarmingly, studies have shown that children with poor oral health suffer in school, do not do well socially, and are less successful later in their lives. Therefore, the importance of early and often visits to a pediatric dentist is critically important.
Prevention Is Key
In addition to seeing a pediatric dentist every six months, there are many basic things you can do at home to prevent your child from developing cavities. If you have an infant, use a clean, damp washcloth or a wet gauze to gently clean the plaque from their teeth and gums at least two or three times a day. If your children are older, brush their teeth at least twice a day. Maintain a healthy diet by avoiding sugary foods and drinks and introduce healthy snacks. Just as the rest of the body needs a well-balanced diet, so does the teeth, gums, soft tissue and bones in a child's mouth.
As a pediatric dentist, we may also recommend protective sealants which can be applied to your child's molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces or fluoride treatments for your child. As pediatric dentists, we have been specially trained to work with young patients, and know how to make a child's visit to our office is, at the very least, a positive experience.
As a pediatric dentist, we may also recommend protective sealants which can be applied to your child's molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces or fluoride treatments for your child. As pediatric dentists, we have been specially trained to work with young patients, and know how to make a child's visit to our office is, at the very least, a positive experience.
