What is a children's dentist?
A children's dentist, also called a pediatric dentist, specializes in treating children from infancy through their teenage years. Pediatric dentists receive additional training to address the unique dental needs of children.
Many general dentists are also comfortable and experienced in treating children. Whether you choose a pediatric dentist or a general dentist who regularly works with kids, both can be appropriate options depending on your child's needs and your family's preferences.
Why is it important for children to care for their teeth?
Taking care of children's teeth from an early age is incredibly important. We want to help them develop good brushing and flossing habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
I have seven children myself, so I know how challenging it can be to get a four-year-old to floss. But helping children establish morning and nighttime oral hygiene routines can prevent bigger dental problems later on.
It's also important to remember that baby teeth matter. Even though children eventually lose them, primary teeth can still develop cavities, infections, and abscesses that cause pain.
If baby teeth are lost too early, neighboring teeth may shift into the empty spaces and create orthodontic problems later. That's why keeping children's teeth healthy is so important.
What should parents expect at a child's dental visit?
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we want children to have a positive experience at the dentist.
Our hygienists may start by showing children how the dental chair works, letting them move up and down in it, and explaining the instruments we'll use. We might show them a small dental mirror and explain how we'll look at their teeth.
Sometimes young children aren't ready to cooperate with every part of the examination, and that's okay. We work with them at their comfort level and accomplish as much as we reasonably can.
We want to avoid creating negative dental experiences because those memories can sometimes contribute to dental anxiety later in life. Our goal is to help children feel comfortable and confident about visiting the dentist.
What should parents know about children's dental visits?
During a child's dental appointment, we'll examine their teeth and gums and evaluate how their teeth and jaws are developing.
We may also recommend dental X-rays when appropriate to check for cavities between the teeth or identify concerns that aren't visible during the examination.
As children grow, we monitor their bite and jaw development. In some cases, early orthodontic evaluation or treatment may be recommended to address developing alignment problems.
Our goal is to monitor their oral health and identify concerns early.
How often should children see the dentist?
For many children, dental examinations every six months are appropriate, just as they are for adults.
During these visits, we'll check their teeth, discuss brushing and flossing techniques, and monitor how their teeth and jaws are developing.
Dental X-rays may also be recommended based on your child's age, dental development, and risk of cavities. The frequency depends on their individual needs rather than following the same schedule for every child.
When should a child first visit the dentist?
I recommend scheduling your child's first dental visit within six months after their first tooth appears, and no later than their first birthday.
During this appointment, we can talk with parents about what to expect as their child's teeth develop, how to clean those first teeth, and what habits can help prevent cavities.
It's never too early to begin establishing healthy oral hygiene routines.
How can parents help children care for their teeth?
One of the most important things parents can do is stay involved in their children's brushing and flossing routines.
Young children often don't have the coordination or patience to clean their teeth thoroughly on their own. That's why I encourage parents to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing and help their children until they're able to do it effectively.
There are also fun tools that can make brushing more enjoyable, including apps with music, cartoons, or timers that encourage children to brush for two minutes.
Being present and helping your children brush in the morning and before bed can make a big difference in developing healthy habits.
How can a children's dentist help kids feel comfortable?
One of the most important things we can do is build trust with children before asking them to participate in dental treatment.
Sometimes we schedule what we call happy visits, where children can come into the office, explore the dental chair, and become familiar with the environment.
For example, if a parent is coming in for a cleaning, bringing a young child along may give them an opportunity to see the office and become comfortable with the dental team.
We might make a balloon animal from a glove or introduce the dental instruments in a playful way.
These experiences help children understand that the dental office is a friendly place where we help keep their teeth healthy.
What preventive dental treatments are recommended for children?
Some common preventive treatments for children include professional dental cleanings, topical fluoride applications, and dental sealants.
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities.
Dental sealants are thin protective coatings placed in the grooves of the back teeth. These grooves can trap food and bacteria, making them common areas for cavities to develop.
By sealing those grooves, we can help protect the biting surfaces of the teeth from decay.
What should parents look for in a children's dentist?
I recommend looking for a dentist who has experience treating children and understands their unique needs.
That could be a pediatric dentist with specialized training or a general dentist who regularly works with children and feels comfortable providing their care.
It's important to find someone who communicates well with children and helps them feel comfortable during appointments.
Why is it important to establish a relationship with a dentist for your child?
Establishing a relationship with a dentist early in your child's life is important because it gives your family a familiar place to turn when dental problems arise.
If your child falls and breaks a tooth or experiences another dental emergency, you'll already know whom to contact.
Regular visits also allow us to become familiar with your child's dental history and monitor their oral health as they grow.
What should you do if your child's tooth is knocked out?
If your child has a tooth completely knocked out during an accident, it's important to contact a dentist immediately.
What you should do next depends on whether it's a baby tooth or a permanent tooth.
If it's a baby tooth, don't attempt to put it back into the socket because doing so could damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
If it's a permanent tooth, immediate treatment may improve the chances of saving it. Handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root. If possible, gently place it back into its socket, or keep it in milk or an appropriate tooth preservation solution while seeking emergency dental care.
Ideally, your child should be evaluated within 30 to 60 minutes after a permanent tooth is knocked out.
What dental problems are considered urgent for children?
Dental emergencies in children can include severe tooth pain, swelling, infection, significantly broken teeth, or a tooth that's been completely knocked out.
If your child falls and damages a tooth or begins experiencing significant pain or swelling, contact your dentist promptly.
For a knocked-out permanent tooth, time is especially important because immediate treatment may improve the chances of saving it.
If your child has difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling, or another serious medical symptom, seek emergency medical care immediately.
How do dentists help young children or children with special needs?
Dental visits can be challenging for some young children and children with special needs, particularly those who experience sensory sensitivities or have difficulty sitting in a dental chair for extended periods.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we're sensitive to those concerns and work to accommodate each child's individual needs.
Sometimes children who require extensive dental treatment may benefit from sedation or general anesthesia, depending on their medical history, treatment needs, and ability to tolerate care.
We can discuss those options with parents and determine an appropriate approach to help their child receive necessary treatment.
How can parents find a dentist for their children?
If you're looking for a dentist for your children, you can start by searching online for pediatric dentists or general dentists who regularly treat children in your area.
It's helpful to find out what ages the practice treats and whether the dental team has experience working with younger patients.
Here at Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we enjoy caring for children and helping families establish healthy dental habits from an early age.
What else should parents consider when choosing a children's dentist?
Another important consideration is finding a dentist who is calm, patient, and comfortable working with children.
Some dental practices focus primarily on adults, while others regularly provide care for children of different ages.
I recommend choosing a dental team that welcomes children, understands their developmental needs, and works to make their appointments positive experiences.
We love seeing children here at Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, and we'd be happy to welcome your family.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (480) 888-8123 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.
Making sure children practice optimum oral hygiene and taking them to a dentist for regular consultations is vital in ensuring their oral health. In fact, early oral care allows the individual to have a great set of teeth that are free of infections when they grow up. Hence, the ADA suggests parents take their child for their first oral consultation starting at the age of 6 months to a year.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we have a well-trained and experienced staff who have their way with children. Their friendly and compassionate approach allows them to understand young patients better, which in turn, helps us treat them in the best way possible.
First oral consultation
Babies get their first set of teeth between the age of six months to a year. Parents should be educated about how to take care of their baby’s oral health which, otherwise, could lead to complications. During the first visit, we would check for any unexpected issues that could upset the baby’s oral health, such as cavities, infections, malocclusion, problems with the tooth eruption, etc. We would give you instructions about how to care for the baby’s teeth.
What do pediatric dentists treat?
Pediatric dentists treat patients who belong to a wide range of ages, from infancy to adolescence. Some of the treatment options we offer are as follows:
- Monitoring the growth of teeth: As the milk teeth fall and the permanent teeth start to emerge, care must be taken to see that they do not deviate from their positions. Malocclusion can entirely ruin one’s smile and make it quite difficult to maintain oral hygiene. In the future, it can lead to pain in the jaws, Temporomandibular joints, neck, etc. Hence, we would carefully monitor the growth of your child’s teeth and ensure they don’t go out of alignment.
- Regular teeth cleaning: Plaque and tartar deposits are known to be the main cause of several oral infections. The microbes in these deposits feed on the food residues in the mouth and can cause cavities and gum diseases. We can get rid of the tartar deposits through a procedure called scaling. Regular oral cleaning sessions are required at least once in six months.
- Fillings: Fillings are restorations that are used to restore teeth that are decayed due to bacterial activity. Tooth-colored fillings are the best choice to treat cavity-affected teeth as they restore both the aesthetics and strength of the tooth.
- Orthodontics treatment: Dentists always insist on getting malocclusion treated at a younger age as the teeth tend to adjust better to their new alignment. Also, the treatment period would be shorter as the teeth move easily. You can choose between dental braces and Invisalign for your child’s orthodontic care.
- Sealants: Sealants are applied to the occlusal grooves of the molars and premolars to prevent the accumulation of the microbes and food debris in them. It is a preventive measure to keep cavities away.
- Fluoride treatment: Fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth against cavities. The regular supply of Fluoride to the body is provided by the water we drink and toothpaste we use. But, when it isn’t adequate, Fluoride treatment would replenish its amount in the teeth.
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