The Scoop on Pediatric Dental Care

Having dental work done can be unnerving even for adults, so it’s no surprise that kids may be skeptical about going to the dentist. Pediatric dentistry is an area of dental work that centers primarily on preventive dental care for children. Here are some factors that confirm the benefits of pediatric dentists and may help you decide if this type of dentist will help the youngest members of your own family.

Specialization
Pediatric dentistry is a specialized field of dental work. These dentists receive advanced training to obtain this title. They must complete four years of specialized training, and then accomplish two extra years of residency training focused just on pediatric dentistry.

Focus on Children
Pediatric dentistry concentrates just on caring for children. These dentists are trained to relate to kids during the dentistry process, and handle behaviors specific to children as it relates to dental work. Pediatric dentists are usually also able to accommodate kids with special needs to disabilities. Finally, pediatric dentist offices are built to meet children’s needs and provide a welcoming environment for them.

Range of services
The range of abilities that pediatric dentists have in performing procedures is extensive. They may use conscious sedation, which is different than general anesthesia because it doesn’t make the child unconscious or unable to respond. Therefore the child does not experience pain during the procedure, but is calm and cooperative. Pediatric dentists are able to perform cleanings, fillings, crowns, and even dental surgeries. Also, they provide practical hints on oral care so that kids can learn how to perform important hygiene tasks like brushing and flossing.

Precise diagnosis
Diagnosing and treating children’s teeth and gums are very precise to your child with a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentist training allows them to give specific instructions about your child’s particular condition, and maximize prevention techniques to limit future dental work.