What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years of rigorous specialty training following a four-year dental school curriculum and is the only dentist who limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are the primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs. Their residency training provides extensive study and hands-on experience in both problems specific to the growth and development of children’s mouths and in child psychology. Pediatric dentists also have a different approach in orienting children to the dental environment, and practice behavior management techniques that encourage positive early dental experiences for children.
When should my child first see the dentist?
Your child should first see the pediatric dentist by age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Although many people still adhere to the old rule of thumb — a first dental visit by age 3 — this information is simply no longer current. By age 3, your child may either already have cavities or have poor dietary and hygiene habits that can leave them more susceptible to cavities. Remember, big dental problems can begin at a very young age. The greatest risk of severe cavities comes from either frequent sipping on sugary drinks or allowing your child to fall asleep while drinking a bottle or nursing. The most important reason to begin dental care so young is to begin a thorough preventative program for your child. And then the dentist can spot problems such as the early stages of decay — and correct them — before they do any major damage.
Is my child at risk for dental disease?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your child may be at an increased risk for dental disease and cavities:
Do you (child’s mother) and/or any of your other children have tooth decay?
Does your child snack frequently? Does your child have increased between-meal exposures to sugars, including 100 percent fruit juices and/or flavored milks or sports drinks and carbohydrate-rich snacks?
Does your child sleep with a bottle or is your child breastfed throughout the night?
Does your child have special health care needs that impact cooperation or coordination?
Does your child have red puffy gums, chalky white spots, or visible plaque?
Does your child have a medical condition or take any medications that cause dry mouth (asthma)?
Does your child have decreased exposure to fluoridated water and toothpaste?
Are your child’s teeth brushed one or less times per day?
Has your child had cavities in the past?
Has it been more than 6 months since your child’s last dental visit?
Why are baby teeth so important anyway?
Your child is just going to lose those baby teeth anyway, right? Although it is true that your child will lose their baby teeth one day, the molar teeth in the back will remain in the mouth until your child is 10-13 years old. The baby teeth have many important jobs — primarily, to save space in the mouth for the adult teeth growing beneath them. When a baby tooth is lost too early, usually due to infection from a cavity, the rest of the baby teeth near that empty space shift around. They can even prevent the grown-up tooth from growing into the mouth correctly. This can lead to crooked adult teeth and future orthodontic problems. Baby teeth also help your child to speak clearly and to chew thoroughly. Cavities in baby teeth can lead to infection and pain for your little one and can also cause damage to the grown-up teeth beneath them. Early visits encourage your child to be much less fearful of the dental environment, which in turn promotes adults with healthier teeth.
Your pediatric dentist will help your child on a lifelong journey towards good oral health. Early visits also encourage your child to become less fearful of the dental environment. Please don’t wait until it is too late — tooth decay is almost 100 percent preventable.