What types of treatments do pediatric dentists provide?

What types of treatments do pediatric dentists provide

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People don’t often think about taking children to the dentist until they start getting their permanent teeth but it is a practice that should be a part of an oral health care plan. Pediatric dentists can treat both younger and older children so that is a good place to start.

Pediatric dentists are trained to do everything those tending to older patients can do. The difference is they are also trained in how to deal with children when it comes to exams and procedures. They are trained on how to adjust procedures for smaller teeth and mouths and understand that children may be anxious or fearful of dental procedures.

Types of Pediatric Dental Procedures.

Many may not understand this but pediatric dentists perform infant oral health exams. This includes overseeing a cavity risk assessment for both the child and the mother. This type of exam is an excellent preventive measure that will help both have better oral health for the rest of their lives.

Parents are advised to take their child to the dentist for the first time either six months after their first tooth comes through the gums or when the child is 1 year old. The first exam is likely to be a simple one to check on the progress of growing baby teeth.

The age of the child determines what type of exams a pediatric dentist will do. Older children will likely have a full exam of teeth, their bite, gums, and jaws. Pediatric dentists will also look at oral tissues to ensure they are properly developing.

A common procedure in a pediatric dentist’s office is a gentle cleaning. Usually, children’s teeth don’t have a lot of plaque or tarter to remove but they will likely have their teeth polished and professionally flossed.

The Main Mission of Prevention

Pediatric dentists are highly involved in preventive dentistry. They focus on X-rays, and cleanings and will likely recommend fluoride treatments for your child to prevent cavities. One aspect is they spend more time talking to your child about how to care for their teeth and gums.

They, or a hygienist, may teach your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth with tooth models or pictures. A pediatric dentist may also talk to them about what foods are best for their teeth and what to stay away from. All of these things can be reinforced at home to establish a solid oral health care routine.

Other Treatments

A pediatric dentist will often do an orthodontic evaluation when the child starts having permanent teeth erupting. While no procedures are recommended at that time, getting this type of evaluation can help parents understand what they are looking at in the future for orthodontics.

One routine procedure performed by pediatric dentists that isn’t as routine for those caring for adult patients is providing sealants for the teeth. Many pediatric dentists recommend putting sealants on a child’s back molars to protect those teeth from cavities. Some will even recommend it for baby teeth.

This serves a couple of purposes. It protects teeth during a time when the child is learning to brush their teeth and may have trouble reaching back teeth. It also offers general protection to new permanent teeth that helps prevent cavities. That can be helpful for children prone to cavities because of medication they are taking or other risk factors.

Pediatric dentists are also the ones who take care of children experiencing dental injuries. Children can have a dental injury resulting from sports, rough play, or an accident. A dentist experienced in working with children and their mouths is the perfect choice for handling this type of mouth trauma.

Pediatric dentists can save the tooth, or recommend a different procedure that repairs the damaged tooth. They can guide you on when the child can safely have procedures that may be required to fix their smile after a mouth injury as they know all the risks.

Another important service pediatric dentists do is diagnose dental disorders in children. There are many different types of dental problems a child can have, such as being tongue or lip-tied. A pediatric dentist can identify issues and advise parents on safe treatment options.

A pediatric dentist is someone you will have around your family for years so be sure that they are one that you like. This is more of a gut feeling but it can’t be one of the most important factors in picking a pediatric dentist.

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Parents who have put off getting their child to their first dental appointment should make an appointment with our friendly, compassionate staff today! We have a warm, welcoming atmosphere that will set both you and your child at ease.

Schedule an appointment and start your child’s oral health care journey today!

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