Children often have a fear of what they don’t understand or are not familiar with. This is why introducing your child to the dentist as early as possible is so beneficial. Dentistry for kids differs from the care that adults receive in that a pediatric dentist seeks to familiarize the child with the staff and all other aspects of a dental office.
Adults know what a dentist does and that they only want to help keep our teeth clean and bright. Children may not grasp this idea at first. By introducing them to the dental world slowly and in a friendly manner, they will be more accepting. It will be as if they were visiting an extended family.
First Visits and Dentistry for Kids
The first visit to a dentist should not be unpleasant, for patients of any age. But the earlier a patient visits the dentist, the better care they can receive.
Dentistry is primarily a conservative venture, aimed at preventing problems rather than solely treating them.
Dentistry for kids focuses especially on this part. It seeks to ensure teeth come in properly, have a good alignment, and stay clean. This continues well into the child’s teenage and adult years.
On the first visit, the dentist introduces the child some of the other members of the dental team. They may also receive a tour of the office to familiarize the child with the building. Knowing what’s around the corner makes the whole experience less scary for them.
Any procedures that are conducted on the first visit are generally non-invasive and are just aimed at cleaning the teeth and checking their condition. It’s best not to associate the first visit with discomfort, so it’s important to bring a child to the dentist well before any problems arise.
Expertise of a Pediatric Dentist
If there are any problems that need to be addressed, the pediatric dentist will carefully and thoroughly address them and help your child feel better.
Most often, the issues that pediatric dentists treat are minor ones. These include installing braces, clearing plaque to treat gingivitis, and perhaps filling a cavity.
Their main goal is to prevent the need for any of these sort of treatments, but should they be necessary, a pediatric dentist will always perform the procedure in a calm, friendly manner so that kids are more receptive.
Should it be necessary, sedation dentistry for kids can help a child relax during a procedure. This can be especially helpful if they are already experiencing pain and need relief, as it dulls the senses while the pediatric dentist works.
