Children can benefit from an oral health care routine as early as infancy. Pediatric dentistry focuses on monitoring young children's mouths, bone structure, erupting teeth, and gums for proper development and addressing oral health issues unique to children.
Pediatric dentistry involves maintaining children's oral health from birth through adolescence, a period involving significant growth and development of the jaw and oral structures. Dentists who train in this area understand the unique challenges of working with young mouths and advocate for learning habits and techniques as early as possible to achieve lifelong good oral hygiene.
Most parents recognize the need to choose a medical doctor who works exclusively with children. However, young patients also have unique oral needs before adulthood, requiring specific attention. Parents can follow these four tips for choosing a pediatric dental care provider who can address these needs.
Pediatric dentists obtain additional training that makes them uniquely capable of monitoring the various developmental stages of children's mouths. For example, these dentists understand that routine bottle use can make infants' mouths breeding grounds for bacteria that cause gum disease even before a first tooth erupts. This condition can potentially cause the decay of a child's first erupting teeth, ultimately impacting the permanent teeth. Pediatric dentists also monitor jaw development affecting a child's eating and speaking ability.
Parents should schedule a consultation with several pediatric dentists before choosing a provider who can helpfully answer questions and partner with them to achieve favorable results. A children's dentist who advocates for a preventative approach will take the time to offer guidance about home care and how to educate children about good oral hygiene.
A dental insurance provider is an excellent resource for help in finding a nearby pediatric dentist. Choosing a dentist in an insurance plan's network provides access to vital childhood dental services that improve oral health while lowering the costs for preventative and curative care, including cleanings, fluoride varnishes, extractions, fillings, and root removal treatment following traumatic tooth loss.
It is helpful to choose a pediatric dentistry practice that considers children's aversions to strange sensations and loud noises that can be frightening. In addition to having technical skills, a pediatric dentist and office staff should know how to communicate and discuss treatments using clear and succinct language that children can easily understand.
The dental office should also provide a child-friendly, soothing environment that includes a waiting room with toys, games, happy colors, and joyful music. Parents should consider scheduling a short pre-appointment visit for toddlers and anxious children to meet new providers and office staff. This step can be particularly soothing for children with special needs and concerns.
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Parents who choose a pediatric dentistry practice to provide childhood oral health care have children who learn to value good oral hygiene through adulthood.
Request an appointment or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at 703-391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist that helps ensure that children are able to keep their baby teeth healthy to avoid any future issues with their permanent teeth. This guide provides information on why baby teeth are important and how to care for them through good oral health.Healthy baby teeth help ensure the proper…
Our pediatric dentist says good oral hygiene for babies starts even before their first tooth erupts. Tooth decay is the most common dental issue that affects children, and acids created by oral bacteria cause it.A child’s first tooth should erupt by the time they are six months old, and it is typically an upper incisor.…
Dental exams from the pediatric dentist are necessary to keep your child's dental health on track. The primary (baby) teeth of your child prepare the way for their permanent teeth. According to the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should see a dentist when their first teeth emerge or…
A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist that helps ensure that children are able to keep their baby teeth healthy to avoid any future issues with their permanent teeth. This guide provides information on why baby teeth are important and how to care for them through good oral health.Healthy baby teeth help ensure the proper…
Our pediatric dentist says good oral hygiene for babies starts even before their first tooth erupts. Tooth decay is the most common dental issue that affects children, and acids created by oral bacteria cause it.A child’s first tooth should erupt by the time they are six months old, and it is typically an upper incisor.…