Pediatric dentistry focuses on the oral health of infants, children and teens. The dentists, who have to complete a specialized course of dentistry that caters to children, including those with special needs, work closely with pediatricians and general dentists to treat patients and teach them how to practice good oral hygiene.
When it comes to pediatric dentistry, there is a misconception that the dentists only focus on the health of infants and small children. In reality, dentists who specialize in pediatric dentistry treat patients from infancy to young adulthood, which means that the age of patients ranges from one-year-olds to 18-year-olds. In cases where patients have special needs that persist into adulthood, pediatric dentists continue to treat the patients past the age of 18.
A general dentist is trained to treat any dental problem a patient may have. However, general dentists do not specialize in treating children and some of them may not be as comfortable dealing with children as a pediatric dentist would. Parents are better off taking children to a dentist that is trained to treat children.
The primary focus of pediatric dentistry is prevention and treatment, as well as educating parents on how to treat children. In addition to cleaning the child’s teeth and helping them prevent cavities, pediatric dentists also provide parents with tips on how to get the child to practice good oral hygiene.
Pediatric dentists also understand children’s behaviors and know how to make young patients feel comfortable, especially on the first visit. They can also treat dental issues specific to little mouths from infancy through the teen years and are trained to treat children with special needs. The pediatric dentist can better address issues specific to younger children such as using a pacifier, thumb-sucking, and bottle-feeding.
An added bonus of taking a child to a pediatric dentist is the fact that they give away prizes at the end of a visit, which is designed to make the child feel comfortable and happy when going to the dentist.
Before a child is taken to the pediatric dentist, parents should ask the dentist what procedures will be performed so there are no surprises. Parents are also advised to plan a course of action to manage the child’s reaction to the visit. Some children may be non-cooperative, so the parents should talk to the child about what to expect and build excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming visit.
Pediatric dentistry is important to your child’s oral health, which is why parents are encouraged to take their children to a pediatric dentist. If you have kids and want to keep their teeth and gums healthy, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist near you today.
Request an appointment here: https://novapedsdentistry.com or call Nova Pediatric Dentistry at (201) 812-2952 for an appointment in our Dumont office.
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