Pediatric Dentistry Specialist

What is pediatric dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses on the oral health of patients from birth to adolescence. It’s officially recognized by the American Dental Association and requires dentists to undergo an additional two to three years of training after earning their dental degree. At the end of their pediatric training, dentists are awarded a diploma from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

How is pediatric dentistry unique?

Children have special needs when it comes to dental care, particularly when it comes to the dentist’s chairside manner and psychological approach to treatment. For a child who’s still learning about the world, the dental office can be a scary place. Since dental phobias tend to develop at an early age and stick around well into adulthood, it’s especially important to make sure that your child’s early dental experiences are fun, friendly, and social. 

Pediatric dentists are specifically trained to make your child’s dental experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Whether this means avoiding threatening words like “injection,” “needle,” and “drill,” or just spending more time connecting with them on a personal level, you can be sure that the pediatric experts at Lakeside Family Dentistry will make your child’s dental appointment a positive and healthy experience.

When should my child have their first dental visit?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a well-baby appointment with a dentist six months after their first tooth comes in, and no later than their first birthday.

While this might seem young, it gives the dentist a chance to establish an early connection with your child, begin monitoring their growth and development, and protect against infant and toddler tooth decay, which has been on the rise in recent years.

What happens during my child’s first pediatric dentistry visit?

Your child’s first visit begins with a warm and welcoming greeting by the dental staff. Your dentist then reviews your child’s health history as well as your family’s health history and answers any questions you might have about how to help your child start practicing great oral health.

Some of the topics discussed at this first visit typically include pacifier use, diet, and general tooth development and alignment. Your dentist then examines your child’s teeth in a position that allows them to maintain sight of you during the exam, which helps them to feel more safe and secure.

At the first visit and subsequent visits throughout your child’s younger years, the dentist demonstrates how to properly brush and floss their teeth, shares an evaluation of their oral health, and recommends any adjustments or treatments that they think might be beneficial to your child’s smile.

By offering both pediatric and adult dental services, Lakeside Family Dentistry could be the home of your child’s dental care throughout their entire life, giving them all of the advantages that continuous and familiar care affords.

Get your child started on a course of healthy dental habits today by calling Lakeside Family Dentistry or scheduling a pediatric dentistry visit online.