A kids dental specialist is a type of dentist who focuses on seeing children and helping them with the needs unique to their developing dentition. Parents may wonder whether seeing a dentist specializing in kids is essential or if they can just see the same dentist the adults in the family trust.
While a general dentist can help a child who needs dental care, there are many advantages to going to a kids dental specialist. Here are a few of the top reasons to try this avenue for your little ones.
A kids dental specialist makes their office more inviting for children in more ways than just décor. Everything from their processes to their tools and even their demeanor is more suited to ensuring that young patients have a positive experience.
One of the biggest advantages of going to a dentist who focuses on kids is that they make the entire experience more accessible for young minds. Children are still learning about the world, and that includes what they are supposed to do to take care of their own health. A kids dental specialist can make the entire dental process simple for children to understand.
Not only does this approach help expand kids’ minds and educate them on dental care and why it is vital, but it can also help calm their fears about going to the dental office in the first place. This creates a positive association with the dentist that kids can carry into adulthood. They will likely be well-adjusted adults who keep up with their dental care rather than avoidant and anxious patients who skip out on necessary maintenance.
Few dentists enter the child specialty without a passion for engaging with children. A kids dental specialist knows how to speak to children and present ideas in ways that they can comprehend. Their chairside manner tends to be bright and fun, which puts kids at ease and enables them to work more seamlessly with fussy patients.
The best kids dental specialists will help a child feel safe and informed throughout the process. This includes explaining procedures step by step, showing tools ahead of time, and adjusting their processes to accommodate less patient kids who cannot keep their mouths open as long as adults.
One of the biggest challenges that many children have at the dental office is dealing with the tools necessary during cleanings or fillings, as their small mouths may struggle to accommodate adult-sized tools. But good kids dental specialists know this and prepare in advance.
These professionals often have smaller tools or different approaches to help kids stay comfortable in the chair. They might provide bite supports to help the child keep their mouth open, or they can use toothbrushes and polishers with smaller heads.
The dentist’s chair is not the only place where a kids dental specialist makes adjustments to accommodate younger folks. The entire office is usually geared toward children, from brightly colored walls to TV programming for kids and even games, toys, and puzzles.
All of this works to ease the child’s fears when they arrive for an appointment. It also creates a positive association between the dental office and all the fun things inside, so children are more likely to be willing participants in their own dental healthcare.
Children's oral health challenges can differ from those that adults must deal with, and a kids dental specialist understands this. From keeping track of erupting teeth to placing dental sealants that help with developing oral hygiene, these professionals tailor their services to children and understand what it takes to lead a smile from childhood to adulthood.
Children can start seeing the dentist even before their first tooth erupts, and a dentist for kids will continue to see these patients all the way through their teenage years. This means it is never too late to see a kids dental specialist!
If your child needs dental care, it is worth exploring a dental professional who specializes in child-focused care and can use their knowledge of adolescent dental challenges to keep your kid's smile safe from decay for years to come. Contact our office today to schedule your child’s appointment!
Request an appointment here: https://www.orthodonticprecision.com or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at (703) 391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
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