Skip to main content

Pediatric Dentistry

- A Precious Smile

Pediatric dentists are specially trained to handle problems particular to children, such as dental developmental difficulties and root canals on adult teeth that have not fully formed. However, most children are treated by general dentists. A general dentist often has a relationship with the entire family and therefore has a great deal of family history knowledge, which may apply to your child. If you’re having trouble deciding on the type of dentist to use for your child, ask your family dentist or your child’s pediatrician for suggestions.
The ideal time is six months after your child’s first tooth erupts. This is the perfect time for the dentist to carefully examine the development of your child’s mouth. Dental problems often start early, so the sooner the visit occurs, the better. Also, your dentist can provide or recommend special preventive care to safeguard against problems, such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb-sucking.

Promote early Dental IQ

The biggest challenge in promoting good oral health and hygiene is getting both children and parents excited about something they see as such a dull activity. My advice is always to make the process as fun and creative as possible. Parents can read stories, watch videos, or sing songs to keep their children entertained while they brush. I am a big proponent of any supplementary activity that helps shape tooth brushing as a bonding experience between parent and child. It’s an important learning process, so let’s give it an emotional tie rather than make it feel like a boring, tedious task. Our goal is to get parents and children equally excited about brushing so that the sentiment can build a strong foundation for good oral hygiene within families.
Although the first visit is mainly for the dentist to examine your child’s mouth and to check growth and development, it’s also about your child being comfortable. To make the visit positive:
  • Consider making a morning appointment when children tend to be rested and cooperative.
  • Keep any anxiety or concerns you have to yourself. Children can pick up on your emotions, so emphasize the positive.
  • Never use a dental visit as a punishment or threat.
  • Never bribe your child.
  • Talk with your child about visiting the dentist.

Pediatric Dentist – Care for Children:

We strongly feel that pediatric dental care is essential for giving children the proper foundation for a healthy life, from childhood through adolescence and beyond. Through our new site, we are committed to arming consumers with the latest information and data regarding their children’s dental and oral healthcare, courtesy of our members, who are on the frontlines, and serve as primary care and specialty providers for millions of children from infancy through adolescence, and provide advanced, specialty-level care for infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs.
Advice typically includes the proper way to floss and brush your child’s teeth and additional information based on the specific condition of your child’s teeth. Your baby’s primary teeth are important. Developmental stages that are imperative to your child’s future dental health depends on them. Dentistry for children provides parents with a guide for oral care so that they will have excellent dental hygiene as they mature.