A pediatric dentist is an oral professional that specializes in treating children. Parents often find themselves wondering whether to take their child to a general dentist they are already familiar with, or an oral specialist that primarily deals with children.
Health professionals typically recommend the latter since getting a child to remain calm and cooperative can be quite the task, especially if it is their first trip to the dental clinic.
Let us take a look at four reasons why it is better to take your child to a pediatric dentist:
Unlike you general dental provider, a pediatric dentist has been specially trained to deal with issues that are specific to a child's developing teeth. These professionals understand the unique problems children face like tooth decay and gum issues.
These specialists also understand the growth patterns of children's primary teeth, which makes them better at detecting developing issues. Most importantly, pediatric dental professionals have lots of experience dealing with crying, fidgety, and frightened children who would rather be anywhere else in the world besides a dental chair. They will know the best way to get your child to relax and even enjoy the process. These techniques can help in making the next visit less stressful and scary for both the child and the parent.
The standard equipment found at a general dentist's clinic can be used to work on children, but these can intimidating. It is fair to say that even a large number of adults are terrified of sitting in a dental chair. It is hard to blame any child given all the sharp tools and bulky, humming equipment at the dentist's clinic.
However, the office of a pediatric dentist is set up specifically for children. The equipment used by these professionals are smaller than the standard ones, and they are kid-friendly as well; with lots of happy, smiling faces and other cute things. These minor adjustments go a long way when it comes to keeping children relaxed at the dentist.
It's common for the waiting areas at a pediatric dentist to be loaded with many of the cool gadgets and video games children love to play. Instead of the news playing on the waiting room TV, parents are more likely to find popular cartons being shown to begin easing the child's anxiety.
All these distractions turn what is typically a scary environment into a fun-filled atmosphere for the child. That keeps him/her relaxed before the treatment. It is also common for pediatric dental offices to hand out awards or toys to children at the end of the appointment to build up their confidence and comfort level at the dental office. Instead of remembering the procedure, the child will remember all the fun activities that took place at the dentist's clinic and look forward to the next appointment.
A big part of pediatric dentistry is focusing on the prevention of oral issues since that is the best way to guarantee a lifetime of excellent dental health. The dentist will advise each parent and child on practical ways to develop good habits like regular flossing and brushing. The dentist will also provide preventive procedures like fluoride treatments and dental sealants.
Want to learn more about why a pediatric dentist is best for your child? Contact one of our pediatric dentists today at (303) 841-7900!
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