Pediatric dentists specialize in children’s oral health maintenance. They receive an additional 2 to 3 years of specialized training in pediatrics, special needs, child psychology, and development.
Infants should be seen for their first dentist appointment around age 1, followed by semi-annual visits until adolescence. Visits may include a physical exam of the mouth, teeth cleanings, cavity fillings, and X-rays.
Pediatric dentists are able to refer children to orthodontists as they grow and permanent teeth come in.
What procedures do pediatric dentists perform?
Pediatric dentists can perform the following procedures:
routine oral health examinations for your child from infancy until their teens, including assessing how likely your child is to get cavities or other dental conditions
regular teeth cleanings every few months along with recommendations for oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and diet changes that may help maintain good oral health, such as by reducing sugar in the diet
recommendations for childhood habits that may affect oral health, such as using a pacifier or thumb sucking
monitoring the growth of adult teeth after the first set of teeth begin falling out to see if your child will need orthodontic care or teeth straightening treatments
fillings for cavities or repair of teeth that may have grown in improperly or been damaged
assessing symptoms of conditions like diabetes or heart disease that may have effects on oral health
Top questions to ask a pediatric dentist during your appointment that you may have not thought of:
How long have you been in practice? Do you work in your practice with any other dental specialists or pediatric dentists?
What's your philosophy to approaching children about dental work?
Do you have any children of your own? Do they have any anxieties or issues with getting dental work done?
What common tooth or gum conditions should I watch out for as my child gets older? Is there anything I can do to prevent these conditions?
Do you use any techniques to help calm or relax children that may be anxious or terrified about getting dental work? Are those techniques safe and proven to work?
Are there any dietary or lifestyle changes my child can make to improve their dental health or dental hygiene?
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