Pediatric dentists specialize in the dental health of children and receive the same training as traditional dentists, but also learn techniques to reduce fear and anxiety in young patients. They provide tips on dental hygiene, treat dental injuries and infections, and offer advice on nutrition. It is recommended that children have their first dental appointment by the age of two and a half. Pediatric dentists can be found through recommendations from pediatricians, area colleges, telephone directories, or community websites.
Pediatric dentistry is an area of expertise within the field of dental medicine. Pediatric dentists specialize in the dental health of children, from infants and toddlers to teenagers. Pediatric dentists understand that the structure of the mouth and dental needs of children are different from those of adults. They received the same training as a traditional dentist, but they also studied ways to make the visit to the dentist less traumatic for their young patients.
Pediatric dentists go through four years of dental school, the same as regular dentists. After that, they spend two years in residency, working with infants and toddlers. They understand that it’s hard for kids to sit still long enough for dental work and that a trip to the dentist is a scary thing. A pediatric dentist will learn techniques to reduce this fear. This may include allowing children to see all the equipment before the appointment begins, decorating in a child-friendly way, and using soothing methods to keep a child nervous.
Newborns start getting their first teeth between five and eight months of age. By the age of three they will all have milk teeth. It is recommended that all young children have their first dental appointment by the age of two and a half, earlier if there are any problems, such as baby bottle tooth decay. After this first appointment, kids should see the dentist at least twice a year.
There is more to pediatric dentistry than just cleaning your teeth. Pediatric dentists provide tips and advice to parents whose children have habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use. They treat dental injuries, such as chipped teeth. They do fluoride treatments and offer advice on nutrition. A pediatric dentist also treats tooth decay, gum disease, and other infections in the mouth. More importantly, a pediatric dentist teaches children how to properly care for their teeth — through brushing, flossing, and proper nutrition — setting the stage for a lifetime of great dental hygiene.
A pediatrician can recommend parents a pediatric dentist in their area. Parents can also find pediatric dentists through area colleges with dental degree programs, telephone directories, or community Web sites. Pediatric dentistry is a relatively new field. Pediatric dentists are becoming increasingly popular and can be found in most larger cities and some smaller towns. Rural areas may have to search around to find a pediatric dentist in their area. There are also many regular dentists who have child-friendly practices. While these dentists may not specialize in pediatric dentistry, they still provide a positive experience for young patients.
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