A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist who provides dental care to children starting from infancy through their teenage years.

What is a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist is a specialist that provides dental treatment for children and infants. This treatment may include oral exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants and more. It is important that children visit a dentist beginning around the age of one, or at least six months after the first tooth erupts, to receive a proper cleaning and exam. This can prevent tooth decay and other oral health issues from developing later on in life.

Children are often very fearful and anxious when visiting the dentist. Parents can take steps to make your child feel more comfortable during their appointment by having a positive attitude about visiting the dentist, scheduling appointments in the morning when the child is alert and fresh and avoiding using words like “pain” and “hurt.” By avoiding these techniques while speaking to your child about their dental visits, you can promote a positive outlook and help them remain comfortable during future appointments.

What makes a pediatric dentist special?

Pediatric dentists and their staff are trained to work with children, special needs patients, and those with behavioral issues that can make treatment difficult in other dental offices. Pediatric dentists also specialize in treating the oral health concerns of children like baby bottle decay, gum disease, thumb sucking habits, crooked teeth, spacing problems, and more. Dental care for children is incredibly important because it sets them up for excellent oral health throughout their life. It can also include educational tools like models, pamphlets, and other visuals to help parents and caregivers learn how to care for their child’s teeth.

- See more at: What treatments do pediatric dentists provide?

Children aren’t just small adults, and their needs are different than the needs of their older counterparts. A pediatric dentist takes this into account and provides dental care that is appropriate and safe for children. General dentistry services offer the same types of care for everyone, but children need different services to keep them healthy and ensure their teeth develop properly. Here are some of the ways a pediatric dentist helps your child maintain good oral health.

- Monitoring the growth and development of the teeth. This can help guide parents in when to introduce certain foods and beverages to their children so that the teeth continue to develop normally.

- Cleanings and sealant applications. These help to keep teeth and gums healthy and prevent cavities.

- Fluoride treatments and sealants are also great options for preventing cavities in children.

- Providing oral hygiene education so that children learn the importance of taking care of their own teeth and can continue to do so into adulthood. This will help minimize the need for future dental procedures like fillings and crowns.

- Creating customized mouth guards for children who participate in sports or other activities that could damage their teeth and cause injury.

- Early detection of potential orthodontic problems, such as misalignment of the teeth or overcrowding. This can eliminate the need for future orthodontic treatment later and helps correct minor issues before they become major problems later in life.

- Oral sedation to help calm children who are uneasy at the dentist’s office or who are experiencing any anxiety. This is safe for them and will not cause them to feel sleepy or groggy after treatment.

- Treatment for children with special health care needs, such as those with Down Syndrome, autism, or other conditions that may make it challenging to maintain good dental health. The pediatric dentist will work closely with the child’s physician to ensure that they receive the best care possible.

- Dietary counseling to help children maintain a healthy