As a parent, you might have multiple responsibilities, but choosing a pediatric dentist for your family should be a priority. This is wise because your children should start their dental care as early as possible.
Unfortunately, many parents assume that their kids do not need to visit the dentist until they start having their permanent teeth. However, it is essential to note that baby teeth are necessary to develop proper speech patterns, eating abilities, and self-confidence.
Baby teeth are also susceptible to infections like adult teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of them by brushing after meals and flossing once a day. It is also good to be careful with your kid’s diet and visit a Memphis pediatric dentist at least twice a year.
What Services Does a Pediatric Dentist Offer?
As a parent, you know it is more important to prevent a dental problem than to treat one. Therefore, most full-service dental offices offer a wide range of services to help children maintain and improve their oral health. These services include:
Dental Cleanings
Pediatric dentists prefer to start seeing children as soon as the first tooth appears. It allows for routine care to be established early and an excellent patient-dentist relationship to begin. By the age of four, your kids can start their dental cleaning appointments.
Cleaning a child’s teeth at least two times a year is the best way to minimize the risk of tooth decay. This is because plaque and tartar often remain in the hard-to-reach areas even after brushing and flossing. A pediatric dentist can professionally clean the teeth to remove everything that contributes to decay.
Dental Restorations
It is common for children to chip or crack their teeth while playing. In this case, a Memphis pediatric dentist can restore the teeth even if they are baby teeth. First, they restore the damaged teeth using a tooth-colored bonding material. Then, they shape it in place and harden it, so it functions like natural teeth and maintains its appearance.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are ideal solutions when a tooth suffers a great deal of damage, or a part of it is lost to decay. The cap surrounds the entire tooth making it easy for the child to eat, bite down, and speak without discomfort. It also eliminates the risk of tooth extraction.
Dental Sealants
Sealants often protect the teeth’s surfaces from bacteria and acidic environments. They are effective on the chewing surfaces of the back of teeth, where cavities often develop. The clear or shaded plastic is applied to the teeth to keep them cavity-free.
The dental sealants procedure is quick and comfortable. A pediatric dentist first cleans, conditions, and dries the teeth. They then flow the material into every tooth’s pits and grooves and harden it with a special light. The best thing is that a child can eat right after the appointment.
Dental X-Rays
Children need dental X-rays more often than adults. After all, their mouths grow and change rapidly. Also, their teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay. Therefore, visiting a pediatric dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups is the best thing to do. Dental X-rays detect tooth cavities, survey erupting teeth, and diagnose bone disease. A dentist can provide a reliable treatment plan for these problems before they worsen. They can also give the best recommendations to avoid problems in the future.
Pediatric dentists know how to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. For example, they use safeguards such as lead aprons, thyroid collars, and high-speed films to reduce the amount of radiation received during the x-ray. Dentists also recommend dental x-rays only when necessary. In addition, they follow the board’s set guidelines based on a child’s caries risk assessment.
Advantages of Choosing a Pediatric Dentist
Are you looking to give your little one something to smile about? Choosing a pediatric dentist for your child’s oral health care is the best thing you can do for them. It is a whole different experience than visiting a general dentist. Pediatric dentists spend their careers treating only kids, which is a bonus. The following are the advantages of choosing a Memphis pediatric dentist.
Gentle Nature
The most notable thing about pediatric dentists is their friendly and gentle nature. Dental visits are scary to adults so they might be pretty overwhelming to children. A pediatric dentist understands these concerns and the things that make children develop the fear of visiting a dental office. They have the training to manage these fears and ensure children have the best experience during every visit. In addition, they equip their offices with kid-friendly equipment and tools, so children are comfortable even when in the dentist’s chair.
Highly Qualified
Your kid’s oral health plays a key role in their overall well-being. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that the professional taking care of them is highly qualified. This is the best thing about choosing a pediatric dentist. These dentists receive additional training to understand and focus on the dental needs of every child. They are also better equipped to address a wide range of dental problems common in children. These include cavities, tooth decay, or loss of baby teeth.
Holistic Approach
Unlike general dentists, pediatric dentists take a holistic approach to providing the best care to children. They work with the parents or guardians to identify factors that lead to dental health problems and provide the best possible recommendations. This is especially when it comes to dietary choices, teeth grinding, and thumb sucking. A pediatric dentist allows for interactive sessions where they empower kids to lead a healthier lifestyle.
In Conclusion
While it is crucial for adults to take good care of their oral health, it’s also vital for children to receive professional care from a young age. A pediatric dentist is trained and equipped with the skills to suit every child’s dental care needs. They help build the foundation necessary for good oral health for the rest of the child’s life. In addition, they provide a calm environment for children to have a good experience during every dental office visit.
