Pediatric Dental Services For Healthy Kids And Happy Families

Your baby should be taken to the dentist as soon as their first tooth emerges from their gums. From then on, your child will need routine dental care to keep their teeth healthy and strong. Pediatric dentists can provide the highest level of care for young patients. These dentists have trained to work on teeth and jaws that are still developing, so they can provide insight into the oral development and care of your child. These are just four services that pediatric dental offices can provide:

1. Patient Instruction

As a parent, it's your job to teach your child how to care for their body. However, hearing about oral care from a professional can impress important lessons upon young minds. Dentists can teach your child the best way to brush and floss their teeth and the reason why it's necessary. Learning about plaque, cavities, and prevention techniques can empower your child to keep their teeth healthy.

2. Gentle Care

Kids are smaller than adults because they are still growing. They may also be more sensitive to sensations than adults. That's why kids can benefit from gentle pediatric care. Pediatric dentists can use tools designed specifically for pediatric use. They can also use delicate pressure when scaling, polishing, and flossing kids' teeth. This extra level of care can ensure that kids' sensitive mouths and delicate teeth remain safe and comfortable throughout their dental appointments.

3. Nutritional Advice

You may not think of your child's dentist as a nutritionist. However, the food your child eats plays a role in their overall dental health. Foods that are rich in calcium, such as milk and cheese, are necessary to build strong teeth. Additionally, some foods, such as candy and other sweets, should only be enjoyed in moderation since they can contribute to tooth decay. Your dentist can help you figure out how best to nourish your child in a way that also protects their teeth. Dentists may suggest watering down juice or teaching kids to drink soft drinks through a straw to limit contact between acidic liquids and delicate tooth enamel.

4. Flouride Treatments

Fluoride is commonly used in dental care to remineralize tooth enamel and protect it from decay. Most kids get their daily dose of fluoride from toothpaste and even fluoridated water. However, biannual fluoride treatments can serve as another measure against cavities. Pediatric dentists can offer high-concentration fluoride gels as a leave-on treatment at the conclusion of every dental checkup.