All general dentists that have graduated from an accredited university can handle dental treatment for patients of all ages, including young children and teenagers. But it’s still important to consult a pediatric dentist to ensure optimal dental care for your children, as their care is somewhat different from an adult's. A pediatric dentist is someone who is specially certified and trained in dental treatment for children. Contact us to learn why it’s necessary for your little one to see a children's dentist in Clute.
Dental Sealants
Kids tend to have a hard time brushing molars and premolars due to their location. These at-risk teeth need a little extra protection until your child has mastered their oral hygiene routine. We can place dental sealants over the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars to protect them from cavity-causing agents such as bacteria. This way, you can keep your little one’s smile safe during a critical part of their oral development.
Sedation Dentistry for Kids
Is your child afraid or anxious about going to the dentist? Childhood dental fears are very common, and our team is here to help your little one overcome them so that they can stay relaxed and comfortable during their appointments. In some cases, we may recommend a form of dental sedation to put your child in a state where they’re at ease with everything that’s going on around them. Not only does this go a long way toward helping your little one overcome their dental anxieties, but it can make it easier for them to sit through lengthier treatments.
Athletic Mouthguards
It’s great for your child to have a sport that they love, but the fun can easily come to a halt if a blow to the face or jaw leads to a dental emergency. No matter what kind of sport your child is playing, they should be wearing a mouthguard in order to keep their smile safe. While you can buy mouthguards over the counter, the kind that our practice offers can be personalized to fit perfectly over your child’s smile for maximum comfort.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
If cavities have already started to form on your child’s teeth, they may be eligible for a silver diamine fluoride treatment. This is a special liquid substance made by mixing fluoride and silver along with water and ammonia. The silver kills the bacteria causing the decay, while the fluoride strengthens the teeth and can help rebuild them in a process called remineralization. As a result, silver diamine fluoride can prevent decay from spreading any further, thus protecting your child’s smile from the worst of the long-term damage.
Frenectomies
Some children can’t move their lips or tongue properly due to an overly restrictive band of tissue called a frenum. This condition, known as a lip-tie or tongue-tie, can have serious consequences for your child’s oral development. Fortunately, it can be easily dealt with thanks to a simple procedure known as a frenectomy. We’ll remove the restrictive tissue to free up your little one’s lip or tongue movements so that they can grow up eating and speaking without issue.
Non-Nutritive Habits
Young children may develop non-nutritive habits such as thumb-sucking as a means to calm themselves down. This is completely natural and usually stops on its own between the ages of 2 and 4. However, if your child is still sucking their thumb past that age, it could lead to development issues that eventually have to be corrected with braces. Luckily, our team can help you identify non-nutritive habits and develop strategies for putting a stop to them.
What Is a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists are children’s dental care specialists who have undergone special training in children’s dental care. They are best suited to deal with young children and teenagers because they understand the complexities of their teeth and gums. Furthermore, a pediatric dentist also has the sensitivity training necessary to deal with young children.
How Important Is Dental Care for Children?
Dental care for children is extremely important and should never be underestimated. Children get their first baby teeth when they’re as young as 6 months and they start losing their baby teeth by the time they are 6 or 7 years of age.
Many complications can arise during this transitional period between baby teeth and permanent teeth. Furthermore, children are less likely to maintain perfect oral hygiene habits, which makes them more likely to suffer from cavities or gum disease. Children also often suffer from dental caries and various other complications associated with baby teeth.
Considering all of these factors, dental care for children is crucial.
When Should My Child's First Dental Visit Be?
You should bring your child for their first dental visit as soon as their baby teeth start coming in at the age of 6 or 12 months. During the first couple of visits, your child will simply get acquainted with the dentist and the dental clinic, and vice-versa. This will allow the child to be comfortable around dental clinics, and it will give our pediatric dentist a good understanding of your child’s specific dental needs.
Why Do You Need Pediatric Dental Specialists?
People often underestimate the need for pediatric dental specialists and take their children to regular general dentists. However, the following are some specific reasons you should take your kids to children’s dental care specialists:
Child-Specific Preventive Dental Specialties
As previously mentioned, kids start losing their first baby teeth around the age of 6 and there may be various complications during the transition period between baby teeth and permanent teeth. The permanent teeth may not come out properly or may start erupting while the baby teeth are still in place. The child may also suffer from infection, dental caries, and other complications. If you don’t manage your child’s dental health correctly, they’ll develop issues that will stay with them throughout adulthood. A pediatric dentist understands these issues perfectly, and they can provide specific preventive dental specialties, so your child doesn’t have to go through complications and serious gum disease, and other dental issues.
Use of Child-Friendly Dental Devices
General dentists treat children with regular adult-sized dental equipment and devices. These are effective and can treat your child’s dental issues, but there are several issues. They may cause your child some discomfort because they’ll be too big in their mouth. They also look fairly intimidating and scary, which will make your child less likely to come back for future dental appointments. A pediatric dentist, however, uses child-friendly devices that are designed colorfully and are the right size, so they cater to the child’s physical and emotional comfort. Pediatric dentists also usually introduce the devices and equipment one by one and in a manner that the child doesn’t find intimidating.
Child-Friendly Dental Environment
If you have children, you’re probably aware that they’re generally terrified of dental appointments. You might even have memories from your childhood that haunt you. That’s understandable considering most dental clinics are extremely, well, clinical in appearance. Everything looks white, sterile, and metallic. However, pediatric dental care clinics are just the opposite — they are bright, colorful, and inviting. They also include a wide range of toys and distractions that can keep the child preoccupied so they aren’t terrified of their dental appointments.
Oral Health Care Routine
A pediatric dentist will also teach your kids the value of a good oral health care routine and how to manage their teeth. They will convey the information in a manner that the child is likely to absorb better. This will help them manage their oral health, which will reduce the likelihood of dental issues.
Children’s Dentistry FAQs
Which Dental Clinic is Best for Children?
How Does a Pediatric Dentist Treat Children?
How Should I Brush My Baby’s Teeth?
When Should I Schedule My Child’s First Children’s Dental Cleaning Session?
How Do I Prepare My Child for Their First Children’s Dental Cleaning?
What Happens During the First Children’s Dental Cleaning Session?
How Should I Care for My Child’s Dental Hygiene?
When looking for a pediatric dental care clinic, you should focus on the following factors:
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The pediatric dentist should have finished four years of education at a reputable university.
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The pediatric dentist should have finished a minimum of two years of residency at a reputable institute with a special focus on pediatric dentistry.
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The pediatric dentist should also have experience with special needs children.
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You should interview the pediatric dentist to ensure that they have a friendly attitude that will put your kids at ease.
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The pediatric dental care clinic should be bright, colorful, and inviting for children.
During your dental visit, the pediatric dentist will treat your children in the following ways:
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An oral exam that will help the pediatric dentist avoid diseases, and they’ll also carry out a risk assessment for dental caries.
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A regular dental cleaning and fluoride rinsing treatment to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar, therefore avoiding gum disease and dental issues.
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Educating both the parents and the kids about how to maintain their oral health perfectly.
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Providing extensive counseling sessions to help children break bad oral habits like thumb-sucking.
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Orthodontic treatments that will help the dentist treat misaligned or crooked teeth.
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Dental treatments with which the dentist can fill cavities and repair dental damages.
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The pediatric dentist can also diagnose and treat diseases like asthma and hay fever in a timely manner.
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Immediate treatments for dental injuries and fractures.
After the first tooth comes out, you must get a baby toothbrush. You have two options for baby toothbrushes. First, a long-handled toothbrush that you can hold with your baby. Second, a finger-toothbrush you can attach to the top of your pointer finger. Please ensure that the toothbrush has soft bristles.
Think of it this way: first tooth = first children’s dental cleaning. Ideally, you should schedule the first children’s dental cleaning session a few months after the first tooth erupts or when they’re 12 months old.
The first children’s dental cleaning appointment is usually pretty short and simple, though no less important than any other. Our dentist will get to know your child and develop the start of a relationship. The dentist will also examine your child’s teeth and gums to do a brief risk assessment. They will proceed to gently clean your child’s teeth and apply fluoride. They may also take an X-ray to better understand your child’s teeth and take care of them as they erupt over the next months or years.
The best thing you can do is relax and remain positive. Children are like sponges, absorbing your energy. If you’re calm and happy, your child will happily follow you to the clinic. If you panic, your child may also panic. However, you can tell them a little about what they can expect and show them pictures of our staff and dental clinic to get them pumped for their first children’s dental cleaning!
This applies to all parents of young children. You can maintain your child’s oral health by following these tips:
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Before your child gets their first tooth, you should wipe their gums regularly with a wet piece of cloth.
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Use child-specific toothbrushes to keep your infant’s baby teeth clean.
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Take your child for a dental visit as soon as their first tooth comes in.
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Schedule regular dental cleaning sessions with your pediatric dentist, as this can prevent gum disease and other issues from occurring.
