Children have different requirements when it comes to their dental health. Their oral cavities are still developing and they may need to see a dentist more often than usual.

About Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that primarily deals in treating kids and teenagers. Pediatric dentists complete their dental school training after receiving their bachelor’s degree. Dentists may choose pediatric dentistry as their specialization during their residency. After completing their residency, they also sit for their board certification examinations.

You can find a good pediatric dentist via location-based online searches. Simply input your location with your requirement such as pediatric dentist McLean to find a list of websites. You can check the dentists’ websites to find more about their training and practice. Choose one that suits your requirements.

Reasons your Kid Needs to See a Pediatric Dentist

Specialized Training

Pediatric dentists receive special training to treat and care for children’s teeth and gums. They learn how to treat common oral problems in children such as cavities, tooth decay, uneven growth, delayed growth, etc. Kids start to grow baby teeth when they are only months older. Around 6-7 years of age, baby teeth begin to fall and permanent teeth start to appear. This stage is quite critical. If proper care is not taken, the growth of permanent teeth can be problematic.

If you start taking your child to a pediatric dentist from the very start, you can minimize a lot of dental problems during their growing years.

Specific Setup

Pediatric dentists ensure that their clinical setup is kid-friendly. Even most adults are not comfortable with dental exams. So, imagine a child going to a dentist! But pediatric dentists are trained to work with children of all age groups. They ensure that their clinical décor and setup are designed in a way to comfort a child.

They also have the necessary equipment suitable for a child’s oral cavity. Small-sized dental equipment may be more comfortable and less scary for children.

Unique Problems

Kids may have problems related to oral care that adults generally do not face. One common example is oral problems that arise due to thumb-sucking. Kids, especially toddlers, may take to sucking their thumb or fingers. This can interfere with their oral health. It can ruin the normal alignment of their teeth. The same applies with the use of pacifiers.

Your pediatric dentist may recommend that your child stops using a pacifier by age 3. If not, the habit may interfere with teeth alignment. Thumb-sucking or pacifiers can make the upper teeth crooked and bend forward. Your child may develop problems with chewing or speech.

A pediatric dentist can help your kid break these unhealthy habits. Kids may listen to a specialist as experts can explain things to them in a better way. The dentist may also provide you with tips to use at home to break these habits gently and effectively.

Emergency Treatments

Not all dentists offer emergency services. But a pediatric dentist is more likely to do so. kids are prone to injuries. They can chip or break a tooth during games or accidents.

Delay in the treatment of younger kids can lead to problems with the growth of permanent teeth. Older kids may lose their permanent tooth due to delayed treatment. Blood loss is also an issue with oral injuries. Infection can cause sudden and severe tooth pain. Infections and severe ache require immediate attention to prevent tooth loss and protect your child from pain.

During emergencies, your pediatric dentist will be there to take care of your kid’s oral injuries and problems.

Preventive Care

Preventive care is the key to good oral health. Good oral care that begins from an early age can protect teeth and gums for life. When you start taking your kid to a pediatric dentist, he or she may experience fewer dental problems later.

Kids also tend to develop healthy oral habits if they visit their dentist regularly. They will also learn the right way to brush and floss from a young age. They will also know the risks associated with sugary foods.

Visits to a pediatric dentist can be a boon for your child’s oral health.