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Get your child familiar with their dentist to set them up with a future of good oral health.
Do you have a little one who needs to see the dentist? Perhaps you’re wondering if they’re in need before their teeth grow in, or you wait until you see that first tooth poke through. Whatever the question may be in regards to when your child should see a pediatric dentist – you will find the answer with Penn Dental Family Practice.
What Is A Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist is one who has had an extra 2-3 years of specialty training, after the completion of dental school. A pediatric dentist is limited to only treating infants and children through adolescence, and those with special needs. Our Fact Sheet here can also answer lots of your questions.
Why Should I Pick A Pediatric Dentist Over A General Dentist?
Due to the primary patient base of a pediatric dentist, they tend to be more receptive to their tiny patients (a.k.a. child patients); whereas a general dentist may not be fully trained in treating children, especially those with special needs or a fear of their dental visits.
When Should I Take My Child To See The Dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, “Your child should seek a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than the child’s first birthday.”
Penn Dental Family Practice urges your children to make their first visit to a pediatric dentist no later than age 3. With that said, there are studies that show that 1 in 4 kids will have cavities by the time they reach preschool. From this statistic it seems clear that many people are not educated enough to be concerned about their children’s oral health. If a child is eating mostly formula/breast milk or only healthy foods, they figure their child is fine. However, just because your child may not be eating candy or drinking juice does not negate the fact that they will develop cavities over time, if not properly cared for.
Upon your informed decision, you will ultimately make the best choice for your child. Please remember that every child is different, with their own specific needs and wants and nobody knows your child better than you.
Your First Visit
Your child’s pediatric dentist should be able to help you learn how to:
- Care for an infant or toddler’s mouth
- Properly use fluoride
- Distinguish appropriate oral habits such as finger and thumb sucking
- Discover ways to prevent damage to the teeth and face
- Handle teething and milestone developments
- See the difference between diet and oral health
The Penn Dental Family Practice Difference
When it comes to your child, you only want the best for them. This is where Penn Dental Family Practice makes it’s way into your lives. We at Penn Dental Family Practice strive to bring you only the gentlest of care, the latest technology and the most innovative ways to make your visits a pleasure, rather than a task.
To find out more about how we can help you and your child find the right pediatric dentist, give us a call at one of our 2 locations. We look forward to being a part of your family!
