Pediatric Dentistry at Park Dental

Dental care is important at any age, but when it comes to children it takes a gentle hand and a focused knowledge to treat them. That’s why we recommend your child see a pediatric dentist for their dental care needs, from toddlers to teenagers. Instilling good dental care habits in your child from a young age can lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles, with little to no risk of oral disease, misalignment or other dental challenges.

What is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dental care focused solely on babies and children. While some patients may think that a child’s first set of teeth (their “baby teeth”) are unimportant, they can actually influence the placement of the second set of teeth that come in later in their pre-teen years.

Your child’s primary teeth are vital to learning how to chew and speak correctly. If they become misaligned or rotted from tooth decay, it can be difficult for them to eat and speak clearly. In addition, these negative changes to the teeth can determine the condition of their adult teeth as well. We strive to teach our child patients the importance of visiting the dentist and how to take care of their teeth at home. However, we also believe that the parents need to be involved too, and will work with you to ensure that good dental habits are being kept.

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist for Your Child?

Pediatric dentistry typically requires two or three additional years of specialty training after dental school. Since treating children is a vast topic of study, pediatric dentists need to study the dental conditions of infants and children of all ages. In some cases, pediatric dentists may also train for treating patients with special needs.

As a pediatric dentistry provider, we also want to help our young patients feel comfortable at the dentist. We understand that the sights and sounds of a dental office can be intimidating, and have the comforts to help keep your children calm and relaxed.

Dental Care for Children and Teens

As you can imagine, children need different dental care at different ages. However, parents may not be knowledgeable about what steps should be followed. Here’s a quick breakdown of best practices for your child at two stages of their life.

Infants: Even as an infant, it’s important to keep your baby’s mouth clean. After a feeding, rub a damp washcloth around your baby’s gums. Not only will this keep their mouth clean, but will also get them used to oral care.

Children: Once your baby has their first tooth erupt, use a small amount of child-friendly toothpaste to clean it daily. Once two teeth erupt beside each other, floss between them gently. As more and more teeth start to erupt, continue to use a small amount of toothpaste to clean your child’s teeth, especially after a meal.

Start taking them to the dentist office every six months, starting from age 1 or after the first one or two teeth erupt. They’ll become used to the dentist, a dental office, and all the expectations of a hygiene visit.