The Difference Pediatric Dentistry Makes
Our goal is to start children off on the right foot with kid-friendly pediatric dental care that builds a positive relationship between the dental team and the little patient. We strive to make kids feel engaged and empowered to care for their own oral health. Happy, healthy habits set the tone for a lifetime of dental care that they actually look forward to.
Pediatric dental care achieves this from the very first appointment, through routine kid-friendly teeth cleanings, and at every milestone your child reaches. We’re happy to support our little patients as they discover their new teeth, lose baby teeth, grow their adult teeth, and navigate other commonly shared experiences like getting a filling (which isn’t so scary after all!) or opting for orthodontics as young adults.
Why Is Children’s Dental Care So Important?
Believe it or not, some people wonder why children’s dental care is so important since primary teeth fall out anyway! Most children have their baby teeth by the age of 3. This first set of teeth begins to fall out around age 6, and except for wisdom teeth, most children have all their adult teeth by their early teens. Children gain and lose their primary teeth during their fundamental years, and the state of their dental health has many long-reaching consequences.
Poor Dental Health Hurts
Just like grown-ups, children are at risk of tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, infection, and gum disease. Without a frame of reference, children may normalize pain and discomfort, but they still feel it all the same. If you notice your child avoids hot and cold foods or chewy foods, or if they chew only on one side of their mouth, they may be coping with dental pain or sensitivity.
Baby Teeth Set the Stage for Adult Teeth
As baby teeth loosen and fall out, their roots are reabsorbed, and the space left behind acts as a guide for the replacement adult teeth. If a baby tooth needs to be extracted prematurely, it can cause problems like unexpected crowding or crooked adult teeth. Maintaining strong, healthy baby teeth and supportive tissue and gums gives adult teeth their strongest start.
The Cornerstone of Confidence
A full set of healthy teeth is essential for children learning how to speak and smile. Children will also begin to form attachments and social skills from a very young age. Dental complications, pain, or sensitivity can impact how they express themselves and how they are perceived by their peers.
Good Eating Habits for Growing Bodies
A wide variety of different foods is especially important for children and can be challenging enough for parents of picky eaters. Children experiencing discomfort and dental pain may avoid crunchy, chewy, or textured foods. They might develop habits of eating on one side only or using the wrong part of their mouth, or they might not want to eat much at all.
Your Child’s First Appointment
For patients of all ages, our ultimate goal is your health, comfort, and satisfaction. In pediatric dentistry, special consideration is given to the unique challenges our youngest patients face when they sit in the chair. We monitor children-specific oral health markers and milestones closely and communicate with your child in a kid-friendly way that makes them feel safe and engaged.
Show and Tell
Some kids are adventurous explorers with a million questions, while others may feel bashful, cautious, or even anxious about new experiences. We want all kids to feel safe, engaged, and positive about visiting the dentist. The best way to meet their emotional needs is through a conversation in kid-friendly terms. We start each appointment by listening to their thoughts and concerns and explaining what we plan to do during the visit, answering any questions they might have.
Gentle Examination
We pay special attention to children-specific oral health markers and gently examine your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and overall health. During our exam, we monitor the progress of their primary and adult teeth, identifying any areas of concern or tricky spots that may need extra attention at home or during future appointments.
Keeping You in the Loop
After the exam, we provide advice for both the young patient and their parent or guardian. Sometimes, we offer extra tips and tricks to help with brushing those hard-to-reach spots at home. We’ll inform you of any problem areas we plan to monitor and what to look out for between appointments. Together, we make a great team!
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pediatric dentists specialize in dental care for children from infancy through their teen years. They have the experience and training to manage the multitude of changes that children’s mouths undergo as they grow into their adult mouths.
Your child will start to cut their first teeth around 6 months of age. It is recommended that children visit the dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. If you suspect something might be wrong or your child is experiencing discomfort or pain, please book an appointment as soon as possible. It’s never too late for a child to have their first dental appointment.
Technically speaking, a pediatric dentist is concerned with the dental health of anyone who hasn’t reached the age of majority. Pediatric dentists specialize in caring for patients from 6 months old to 18 years old.
The general rule of thumb for how often a child should visit the dentist is the exact same for adults. Generally speaking, every 6 months unless otherwise specified by a dentist. Some patients opt for every 3 months or 8 months depending on their personal needs and budget. You shouldn’t wait more than a year between appointments. If your child is experiencing any discomfort or pain, don’t wait, book an appointment now.
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