4 Questions to Ask Your Pediatric Dentist

A pediatric dentist is specifically trained in the care, education, and treatment of children for their oral health. While most families will use a family dentist for their kids, some will choose to go to a pediatric dentist for treating kids who have disabilities and special needs, as well as kids who require gentler care. A pediatric dentist receives an extra two to three years of specialized training after completion of dental school. Pediatric dentists also receive training on methods of teeth straightening through orthodontics, as it relates to young adults. Patients are typically referred to a pediatric dentist by their general dentist or their pediatrician, based on their needs.

Regular visits to the dentist are important to start at a young age. Children should have their first dentist appointment once their first tooth comes in, usually sometime between 6 and 12 months. By starting proper dental care at a young age, you are setting your kids up for long-term healthy habits with their teeth to ensure they have the tools they need to take proper care of their teeth so they can keep their natural teeth for as long as possible. Dentists are able to flag potential future issues with a child’s teeth or jaw structure early on and can recommend preventative steps to take as children grow up that will avoid or reduce the amount of work required later on.

General and family dentists do receive training in dental school from pediatric specialists as part of their curriculum. While general and family dentists are able to treat young children and adolescents, some may choose not to as a personal preference. A pediatric dentist can perform the same dental procedures a general dentist can, but with their specialized training, they are able to treat special needs children and are able to handle difficult behavioral situations that a general dentist isn’t familiar with.

Every child is different, and as a parent, you can anticipate how your child may react to their first dentist visit. Starting children at a young age will help alleviate the fear that many children, and even adults, have of the dentist. Picking a good dentist is the first step, and ensuring you find a dentist that not only works with young kids but also has a good bedside manner with them. A good hygienist and dentist team can really help ease the fear that kids have and make or break the experience. To help prepare your child before their appointment, find some books or TV shows featuring characters they like who visit the dentist. Seeing their favorite characters going to the dentist will help them understand what a dentist is and that they are helping your child. The most popular television series will have an episode featuring the character going to the dentist. Also, talk to your kid about the dentist and be honest about their potential fear. Explain to them what is going to happen and let them know that you will be there the whole time with them. If they have a favorite stuffy, allow them to bring it with them for comfort. You and your child can even take turns before the appointment playing dentist with the stuffy, to help them understand what the appointment can entail.

If your child needs dental care, then contact us through our website as we are accepting new patients. Our team cares about your oral health, so speak to us today to learn more about our services and payment plans. We serve patients from Dallas TX, Plano TX, Addison TX, Garland TX, Richardson TX, Carrollton TX, and BEYOND!