Did you know that 1 out of 5 children in the US between 5 and 11 have at least one or more cavities left untreated? And these kids often grow into adults with poor dental health.
But does anybody love going to the dentist? Unfortunately, these feelings cement into our minds from dental experiences when we were very young. That’s why taking your kids to a local pediatric dentist is so important.
A great pediatric dentist understands children and works with them to reduce stress and make the experience positive. Dentistry for kids sets
So keep reading this guide to find out the top seven reasons to choose a local pediatric dentist for your kids.
1. Everything Is Kid Friendly
Taking your child to a pediatric dental office is far less intimidating. A children’s dental office is designed for comfort and usually includes toys, games, and televisions in the waiting room and treatment room. A friendly environment encourages your kids to associate positive feelings with the dentist.
Dental equipment can also be a scary thing for a child to see for the first time. Pediatric dental offices use smaller versions of the same equipment, making your child much more comfortable.
A children’s dentist also takes the time to show and explain what the equipment is used for, allowing your child to feel more at ease.
2. More Education
All general dentists receive similar training and can offer treatment to people of all ages. But pediatric dentists receive additional education to learn about the development and treatment of children’s teeth.
Children can often have complex problems with their teeth growth and development that a pediatric dentist can better identify.
Pediatric dentists are more familiar with typical dental issues in children and improving dental health. They’re also experienced with kids of all ages and can work carefully with your child to not develop dental phobias.
3. Preventative Care Kid Style
Pediatric dentists at keeping preventative care focused yet fun and educational for your kids. Treatments your child will receive include:
- Fluoride treatments with flavors your kids will enjoy
- Dental X-rays with a fun process
- Fun games to teach proper brushing habits
- Sedation dentistry for extra nervous kids
Preventative care is done in a fun and friendly way that allows your kids to learn healthy dental habits at a young age. Brushing, flossing, and knowing to brush after sweet treats serve as a foundation for healthy adult teeth.
Children love candies and sweets, and it’s easy for them to forget to brush when they should. Preventative care detects bacteria and germs before infections occur.
4. They Help With Habits
Kid-focused dentistry doesn’t just help with preventive care; they also help with those thumb-sucking and nail-biting habits.
Many children have these habits, but being left alone for too long can cause problems with tooth development and the need for future orthodontic treatment.
Pediatric dentists have experience positively managing these types of oral habits to get to the root of the problem.
5. Check for Speech and Bite Problems
Pediatric dentists will evaluate your child’s bite and how they can form words. Children may develop nutritional problems if they can’t chew and bite properly.
Speech problems are also commonly linked to dental health. When teeth are misaligned, children may learn the wrong sounds and pronunciations because they can’t make the right ones.
Early intervention is vital. The sooner you can detect speech issues, the more you can prevent them from becoming a lifetime problem for your child.
6. Evaluate for Braces
Regular visits to a pediatric dentist allow your child’s mouth to be evaluated continuously during times of increased growth and development.
Pediatric dentists perform careful examinations of your child’s developing teeth to check for tooth impactions, misalignment, or other structural problems.
Technology allows dentists to map out exactly how your child’s bite should be. Many times can often recommend preventive treatments like jaw exercises that can prevent the need for braces altogether.
7. Great for Kids With Special Needs
If you have a child with special needs, finding the right dentist is more important than ever. The good thing about pediatric dentists is they are skilled and educated in offering care to these children.
Most pediatric dentists have extensive experience with children that have:
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD)
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Down Syndrome
- Visual or hearing problems
- Children with conditions like a cleft lip or palate
- Children with developmental disabilities
Many pediatric dentists offer extended visit times and special care and consideration for children with autism.
A picture exchange communication system board (PECS) is often used to help children communicate and understand all the appointments’ steps.
Most of the steps are easy and take only a few seconds to complete, like sitting in the waiting area, counting teeth, brushing teeth, and more.
Even if all steps aren’t covered in one appointment, progress is still made towards future appointments. A gift bag is often included in the final steps to offer positive reinforcement at the end for your child.
A pediatric dentist is essential in making your child feel understood and comfortable in these situations.
Your Local Pediatric Dentist
Your local pediatric dentist is the best choice when it comes to dentistry for kids. Remember, when you start dental care at a young age, those habits are more likely to remain with kids until adulthood.
The professionals at Dr. Rhonda Hogan Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry are here to help you. We will put you and your children at ease during every one of your appointments.
So make sure you contact us today for a healthier and happier smile tomorrow.