Most general and family dentists can treat children and monitor their oral health development along with their whole family. Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, specialize in the oral health of babies and children until they enter adolescence. Since these two categories of dental professionals can both treat children, some parents are a bit confused about where to bring their young ones.
As a trusted pediatric dentist in Statesville, Happy Teeth Pediatric Dentistry aims to shed light on the role of pediatric dentists in the developmental stages of a child. We will also share why bringing your babies directly to a pediatric dental practice on their first day can save you more time in the long run.
What is a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists or pediatric dental specialists are considered pediatricians in the dental field. They are solely catering orthodontic treatment and dental care for children from the moment they develop their first teeth until they reach 12 years of age.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, pediatric dentists take up to 2 to 3 more years after dental school for residency programs and specialized dental training on children’s teeth development and child-specific dental procedures.
What makes pediatric dentists different from general dentists?
If you and your family have been receiving dental care from a general dentist for a long time, you’re probably thinking that there’s not much difference at all. However, from the interior design, approach, tools, and available dental services, there are distinct child-specific differences between a pediatric and general dentist. Pediatric dentists stand out in the following areas:
They have the expertise about the developmental stages of your child.
Pediatric dentists are board-certified and well-versed in the right approach for every child. Pediatric dental practices provide a dental home for children where their developmental dental needs, special healthcare needs, and emotional development are closely monitored.
They know how to adjust to the different behaviors of children.
The stigma on dentists among children is a common problem for most patients. As part of their training, pediatric dentists are experts on how to persuade, calm, and play with children as they receive their dental treatment. They are a bit creative in convincing your children to let them see their mouths by using a reward system or playtime to win them over.
Their facilities are geared towards a child-friendly dental environment.
Pediatric dental practices are designed with child-friendly colors and designs that will make children comfortable enough to come back for their treatments. Their creative imagination is stimulated by the approach of trained dental staff and allows them to be themselves.
The dental equipment and tools are also specifically made for children. They also have treatments available for children with special needs that may not be available in some general practices. So, some parents may tend to transfer their child’s care from a general dentist to a pediatric dentist, wherein the transition can be a hassle and time-consuming.
They have the tools and treatments like sedation for dental anxiety in children.
Pediatric dentists have available sedation services ready for children with extreme dental anxiety. Nitrous oxide sedation is mild sedation where a child will be put into a sleepy state during their dental treatment.
They simply love to care for kids.
Pediatric dentists have a heart for the young ones. They have the patience and gentle hands to provide pain-free dentistry for kids. Dental exams with them become a fun roll call of the number of available teeth, and oral hygiene education against tooth decay turns into a playtime using their educational toys and tools.
Let your child experience a pain-free and fun dental experience at Happy Teeth Pediatric Dentistry
Let your child experience dental treatment with professionals who will not only care for them but also play and have fun with them during their treatment. Dr. Stuart Tucker and our dental staff are excited to see your little ones in our practice. Schedule an appointment today and let us help you take care of your children.
