When children form positive early memories associated with visiting the dentist, they will be less likely to fear these visits in the future. Although most of us do not actually enjoy visiting the dentist, keeping up with our regular appointments is critical in ensuring that our teeth stay healthy. Finding a good pediatric dentist who offers a wide range of dental services can help your child learn good dental habits early.
What Is a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists specialize in dental care for children. This specialized field requires a few extra years of schooling. All of that extra training provides the knowledge dentists need in order to address the dental needs of young children. Some benefits of pediatric dentists include:
- Provide a welcoming environment. A family dentist is better able to create an environment hospitable for children.
- Preventive care. Your pediatric dentist is trained to diagnose conditions like thrush, baby bottle tooth decay, time ties, and other pediatric conditions.
- Growth and developmental issues. Your baby’s teeth are quite different from those of adults, and pediatric dentists are trained to deal with different eruption patterns and the various oral development stages that children move through as they grow older.
- Treating special needs children. Special needs children require specialized dental care that your pediatric dentist is trained to provide. They will be working with parents so that their child develops healthy oral care habits and will make dental visits a lifelong habit.
Pediatric Dental Sealants
Pediatric dental sealants are a thin protective layer that your dentist can place over your child’s teeth to help prevent them from developing tooth decay. The sealant itself is a clear resin liquid applied using a small brush. The dentist will use a special LED light to dry and bond the material to your child’s teeth. Visit Splendid Dental Atascocita for common pediatric dental procedures like fillings and sealants.
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids
Oral hygiene can have a direct impact on a child’s performance at school. When children develop tooth decay, they often have difficulty eating and sleeping, leading to school attendance and performance problems. So dental sealants are a great way to protect your child’s oral health, prevent expensive dental work, and ensure that your child is poised for success at school.
There really are no downsides to dental sealants. Although dental sealants are helpful, they are not permanent. It is important to consider the following dental services in addition to sealants:
Finding a Good Pediatric Dentist
One of the best ways to find a good family dentist is to seek other parents’ recommendations. Be sure to ask about pain management, comfort, scheduling, cleanliness, and professionalism. The most valuable recommendations are often from parents who witness their children interacting with their pediatric dentist, not just a dental hygienist who performs dental cleanings.
Look for Online Reviews
Websites like Yelp are often a great source of dental practice reviews but don’t rely on them as your sole source of information about a prospective family dentist. Your child’s early memories of the dentist will help them maintain good dental health for the rest of their lives.
Certification
Pediatric dentists should have completed a graduate program in their specialty. The organization that accredits pediatric dentist is the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) is the professional organization that certifies pediatric dentists.
Find Your Pediatric Dentist at Splendid Dental Atascocita
Finding an experienced pediatric dentist that offers the dental services you need can be difficult. Our expert team helps eliminate this challenge. Call Splendid Dental Atascocita at 713-244-7790 to schedule your next appointment today.
