Is Pediatric Dentistry Worth It?

Is Pediatric Dentistry Worth It?

Apr 01, 2023

Children require good dental hygiene and habits like adults to keep their teeth and mouth clean and healthy. Dental experts recommend taking your child for routine pediatric visits when their first tooth erupts or on their first birthday. Even if they don’t have any issues, the dentist will review their oral and dental development and correct any alignment problems early on before they cause serious and long-term complications. Keep reading to learn more about pediatric dentistry.

Who’s a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist is a dental professional specializing in children’s (infants to teenagers) dental care. A pediatric dentist offers a variety of dental care and treatments to keep your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth in optimal health. Unlike a general dentist, a pediatric dentist has additional training and specialized skills to accommodate the various dental needs of children.

Why see a Pediatric Dentist?

There are many benefits of taking your child for routine pediatric visits. These reasons include:

  • Dental exams and cleanings

A pediatric dentist reviews your child’s oral health for dental diseases or disorders. The dentist will examine their teeth, gums, and mouth for pain, infections, trauma, bite problems, and other concerns.

X-rays may be necessary to examine their teeth and bone for a thorough oral exam. Routine dental exams allow for early diagnosis and treatment of oral issues. If undetected for long, most oral issues can develop into serious, long-term concerns like misalignments, tooth loss, and jaw disorders.

After examining your child’s mouth, the pediatric dentist will use special dental tools to remove any built-up bacterial deposits in the child’s mouth. This removal lowers the child’s risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay. Our kid’s dentist in 92014 recommends taking your child for pediatric visits every six months.

  • Preventive dentistry

Besides routine dental checkups and cleanings, a pediatric dentist can also perform preventive procedures to reduce your child’s risk of oral diseases. These can include:

  • Oral health education. The dentist will teach you and your child proper hygiene practices and habits like brushing. They can also mention bad habits like nail or pen-chewing. Oral health education helps keep your mouth healthy and beautiful.
  • Dental sealants: Children may not thoroughly brush and floss, so they’re at a greater risk of plaque and tartar buildup, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. The dental sealants procedure entails applying a thin coating to the chewing surfaces of the child’s back teeth. It covers the tiny pits of these teeth, making it difficult to trap debris and bacteria. Smoother chewing surfaces make brushing much easier, significantly lowering your child’s risk of oral infections.
  • Fluoride treatments: Fluoride is a mineral that’s essential for maintaining healthy teeth and a healthy mouth. Routine dental treatments entail applying a fluoride varnish to the child’s teeth. It helps strengthen their teeth and reduce their risk of dental cavities and fractures.
  • Mouthguards: The dentist can prepare a custom mouthguard for your child if they engage in high-impact sports or have bruxism.
  • Dental Treatments

Like adults, children can experience dental problems such as gum disease, dental trauma, poor bite, and tooth decay. Below are some of the most common procedures performed by a pediatric dentist:

  • Dental fillings: Children snack regularly and might not brush their teeth thoroughly, so they’re at a greater risk of dental decay and cavities. Dental fillings remove tooth decay and fill cavities. Visit our pediatric dentist in Del Mar, CA, if your child has cavities.
  • Tooth extraction: A tooth extraction may be necessary if your child’s baby tooth doesn’t fall out on time, their teeth are overcrowded, or their baby or adult tooth is severely infected beyond repair.
  • Dental Crowns: A crown may sometimes be necessary to protect a severely decayed or broken tooth.
  • Orthodontic treatments: If your child has a poor bite, the dentist can perform orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign to align their bite. Correcting bite issues at a young age is vital to prevent future dental problems.

Are you interested in Pediatric Dentistry?

For more information about pediatric dental care and treatments, visit our children’s dental clinic near you or contact Sunny Smiles Kids.

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