In this post, our Ontario dentists will take a look at why you should take your child to see a dentist for kids and answer the question, “Why go to a pediatric dentist.”
A pediatric dentist is a professional dentist for kids and someone who is qualified to meet the specific dental needs of children. After fulfilling pediatric dentistry school requirements, the pediatric dentist also completes an additional 2-3 years of training specific to dealing with children’s dental problems.
A pediatric dentist also studies child psychology, which allows them to better communicate with children in non-threatening, gentle, and more effective ways.
First Visit to a Dentist for Kids
To ensure and maintain your child’s oral health, the Canadian Dental Association recommends that your child visit a dentist for kids within 6 months after their first tooth emerges, or sometime before the age of one. For more information, watch the video entitled First Dental Visit found on our kid’s dental services page.
5 Facets of Pediatric Oral Care
- Oral Care Education
Your child needs education on the importance of oral care and taking care of their teeth. The dentist for kids will offer parents advice on thumb-sucking cessation, toothpaste choice, and numerous other topics.
For more information on oral care, read 11 Good Oral Hygiene Tips for Young Children.
- Utilization of Cavity Prevention Tools
Dental sealants and treatments are applied to assist in the prevention of cavities and maintaining tooth enamel.
- Early Detection of Potential Dental Issues
A dentist for kids can predict future oral problems through regular dental check-ups, x-ray results, and the use of computer modelling.
- Forms of Pediatric Dental Treatment
Children’s space maintainers are utilized to prevent misalignment if baby teeth are lost prematurely. Other pediatric dental treatments for oral trauma or pulp therapy can also be performed.
- Constant Knowledge Updates
By staying current with advances in children’s dentistry, our dentist for kids offer the safest and most advanced procedures available for child oral care.
Preparing for Your Initial Pediatric Dental Visit
If your child is visiting our dentist for kids for the first time, read our Country Dental article entitled, Making Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist a Great Experience. Explain to them what will happen at the dentist, tell them about the dental hygienist, the tooth pictures (x-rays), and avoid discussing needles, drills, and anything else that might scare them.
Please complete our pediatric referral form if you are a parent looking for a children’s dentist.
If you have any questions about pediatric dentistry or what to expect during your child’s first visit to a dentist for kids, you can contact our pediatric dental clinic online.
We can also be reached at our Fergus dental clinic by calling 519-787-7878
If your child is due to see a dentist:
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See this Canadian Dental Association page for additional information about What to Expect On Your Baby’s First Visit to the Dentist.
