Dental Care for Kids

Pediatric dentistry is all about dental care for kids. It involves procedures and techniques adapted from general dentistry to suit the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist is trained to treat a wide range of oral diseases that affect infants, kids, and adolescents. They also treat children with special health care concerns, take extra time to make their patients feel at ease, and provide oral health and preventive care information for patients and their families.

Pediatric dentists are qualified to care for the mouth, gums, and teeth of patients through the various stages of childhood. They are dedicated to promoting oral health in children from the infant years through the teens.

Kids get their primary teeth within the first six months of life. By age seven they begin to lose that first set which eventually gets replaced by permanent teeth. Without routine dental care and proper oral hygiene, children may face a lifetime of tooth decay and disease resulting in a lot of pain and suffering. Currently, dental caries in early childhood is five times more common than bronchial asthma and seen seven times more frequently than hay fever. Dental caries is now a recognized infectious disease.

What training is required of pediatric dentists?

Pediatric dentists need to complete at least the following:

• Four years of dental school
• An additional two years of residency training focused on the dentistry needs of infants, children, teens, and special needs children

What treatments and procedures do pediatric dentists provide?

Pediatric dentists offer comprehensive oral care including:

• Oral health exams for infants, and dental caries risk assessment for both mother and child
• Preventive dental care which includes teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments and nutrition counseling
• Early assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for orthodontic issues
• Cavity repair
• Diagnosis of mouth conditions associated with other bodily diseases such as diabetes, heart defects, asthma, attention and hyperactivity disorders
• Treatment of gum diseases and other conditions
• Repair for such dental injuries as a fractured tooth or one that has been knocked out

Pediatric Dentists Provide the Best Oral Care for Kids

Children are not simply little adults, they operate differently. They can’t always sit still, wait patiently or cooperate well during an exam. Pediatric dentists are trained to work specifically with children. They know how to make them feel comfortable during an exam. In addition, offices are typically decorated and arranged in a kid-friendly way, and equipment is designed specifically for children.