Pediatric Dentist
Pediatric dentists provide oral care for children, from infancy through adolescence. This includes children with special health needs. A pediatric dentist has two to three years of additional training following dental school, which emphasizes the management and treatment of a child's developing teeth, child behavior, and children’s physical growth and development. They also understand the oral needs of infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special health care needs.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist as early as age one or six months after the first tooth erupts.
Benefits of Visiting Pediatric Dentists
Comfortable Office
A pediatric dentist’s office is designed to make kids feel comfortable. The waiting room is large and bright, and the walls are covered with child-friendly art. The exam rooms are all decorated in bright colors, and the chairs have televisions with kid-friendly programming.
Fun Environment
A pediatric dentist understands that dental anxiety can keep your child from visiting the dentist. Because of this, a pediatric dentist will create a fun environment for your child to enjoy their time at the dentist’s office.
Good Communication
A pediatric dentist is trained to communicate with children and make them feel comfortable and calm. Pediatric dentists use kid-friendly language to describe procedures to know precisely what to expect.
Gentle Treatment
A pediatric dentist has the skills necessary to calm young patients, making them more comfortable at the dentist’s office. The extra training is focused on treating young patients, including infants, children, teens, and patients with special needs.
Services Provided by a Pediatric Dentist
Dental Checkups
A pediatric dentist treats patients from infancy through adolescence and children with special needs. They have two additional years of training in diagnosing and treating children.
Dental Cleaning
Pediatric dentists provide routine cleanings for children. These cleanings remove plaque and tartar from teeth, helping to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Fluoride Therapy
Fluoride therapy is often part of a child’s preventative care routine. It is an element that occurs naturally in water sources. When children drink fluoridated water, they introduce small amounts of fluoride into their mouth. This mineral helps strengthen enamel, making it more resistant to bacteria and acid erosion.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings placed on the teeth. They are commonly applied to the molars because they are the most likely to have pits and fissures in which food and plaque can become stuck.
Sports Mouthguards
When children are involved in sports, they must wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard will protect the child’s teeth and gums from trauma. Mouthguards can also be used for children who grind their teeth.
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are appliances that hold open spaces in the mouth. There are various space maintainers, including removable appliances, fixed appliances, and bonded retainers.
Phoenix Family Dentistry, located in Phoenix, AZ, has the best dentists and is equipped with modern technologies that enable the best dental care services for our patients. To know more about pediatric dentistry, call us at (602) 755-6684 and schedule an appointment with our dentist.
