Besides routine cleanings that remove unhealthy plaque and tartar, pediatric dentist also monitor the development of a child’s teeth and jaw. This is essential because children are more likely to develop problems like tooth decay and gum disease due to eating sugary foods and poor dental hygiene habits.

A pediatric dentist can recommend treatments like fillings to restore damaged teeth and prevent further complications. They can also advise on healthy diets and lifestyles that promote good oral health.

Expertise

Pediatric dentists are uniquely qualified to care for children’s teeth, gums and mouth. They have extensive training that prepares them to work with infants, children and teenagers of all ages.

Their knowledge of dental development offers insights that are invaluable to understanding how and why certain oral issues occur. For example, a pediatric dentist knows when to place a dental spacer to ensure that permanent teeth grow in properly, or when to remove problematic supernumerary teeth.

They are also trained to coach children on healthy habits, so they can maintain good dental health throughout their lifetimes. This includes encouraging healthy dietary choices and discouraging thumb-sucking, which can have negative implications if it persists with older children and teens. This type of insightful coaching is something that general or family dentists may not be able to provide as expertly.

Routine Checkups

Children are advised to visit the dentist every six months to ensure that they develop healthy teeth. These regular visits allow the pediatric dentist to track any developments and also give advice on oral care strategies. This practice ensures that dental hygiene becomes a natural part of the child’s everyday life.

During these routine visits, the pediatric dentist will conduct an oral examination of the mouth and check for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease. They will also advise on proper brushing and flossing techniques and healthy diet choices.

They will also use the opportunity to educate both the child and the parent about how to maintain good oral health through regular checkups and cleanings. This will ensure that the dentist can detect any issues in their earliest stages, avoiding more extensive and costly treatments later on.

Nutritional Advice

Your child’s diet plays a direct role in their dental health. A healthy, well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods helps them to grow strong teeth and gums. A pediatric dentist can offer expert guidance in this area and empower parents to make health advancing nutritional choices for their children.

For example, a diet high in sugary snacks and drinks contributes to tooth decay. It also fuels harmful bacteria that produce acids that erode tooth enamel. Your Danville Pediatric Dentist may recommend reducing your child’s sugar intake and encouraging them to drink plenty of water.

They might also advise that acidic foods like fruits should be offered in moderation and followed by a regular brushing routine to remove any lingering sugars. They might also suggest calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products and leafy greens, as well as vitamin D, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones.

Preventative Treatments

Preventative treatments are proactive measures to keep oral health problems from developing. This differs from restorative dental care that addresses existing issues like cavities or gum disease. Pediatric dentists offer preventative services like cleanings, fluoride treatments and nutritional advice to ensure children develop healthy teeth and gums.

In addition, pediatric dentists provide advice to parents on how to encourage kids to practice good oral hygiene habits at home, such as brushing, flossing and mouthwash use. They also help address habits that may negatively affect a child’s oral health, such as thumb sucking or prolonged bottle feeding.

In addition, pediatric dentists offer specialized treatments to address specific oral problems. This includes placing dental spacers to guide a permanent tooth into its correct position or removing problematic supernumerary teeth.

Surgery

A pediatric dentist can perform advanced treatments to protect children’s teeth and help them grow into healthy adult teeth. This includes tooth extractions, fixing malocclusions and addressing dental injuries like cracked or broken teeth.

These experts know how to handle these procedures in a way that makes the child comfortable. They use sedation and other techniques to minimize pain and anxiety for their young patients.

They also offer x-rays to spot problems that might not be visible to the naked eye. These x-rays can detect cavities between the teeth and check for impacted or extra teeth. They can also catch issues with the development of the permanent teeth like a narrow palate or an overbite and correct them before they become serious problems later in life.