A children’s dental specialist has the expertise to care for a child’s oral health from infancy through the teen years. They are dedicated to fostering good habits that will last a lifetime.
They also specialize in working with kids who may be frightened of the dentist or have general anxiety. They have additional post-graduate training in behavior modification and child psychology.
Preventive Care
A bright, healthy smile is vital to a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Confident children tend to engage more in school and have difficulty concentrating. Dental issues such as pain, discomfort, and tooth decay can interfere with these activities and lead to frequent school absences and a lack of focus in class.
Preventive care includes teaching kids about brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits from an early age. This helps them establish healthy habits they will likely carry into adulthood and reduces their risk for dental issues.
In addition to regular cleanings, pediatric specialists can address other oral health-related concerns like enamel hypoplasia (caused by premature birth or vitamin deficiencies) and mouth sores such as thrush and ulcers. They can also recommend orthodontic appliances to help guide erupting or unevenly spaced teeth and provide dental sealants and appliances that discourage damaging oral habits, such as thumb sucking and finger grinding.
Restorative Care
People form their enduring habits in childhood, which is why it’s so important to teach kids good oral hygiene. In addition, children’s dental specialist Los Angeles CA, can show kids how to brush and floss and nip bad habits in the bud before they become too serious. For instance, kids who suck their thumb or use a pacifier long after infancy need to be stopped before they lose their baby teeth too soon and have crooked teeth as adults.
Pediatric dentists also offer restorative care, fixing teeth damaged by decay or trauma. The most common therapeutic procedure for kids is a filling, which involves the dentist removing decayed tissue and filling the hole in the tooth to prevent future problems. They typically use glass ionomer cement, which has low shrinkage levels and is thermally compatible with the child’s tooth structure. This ensures a solid and lasting restoration. This type of dentistry helps protect children’s smiles and can even improve their overall health by reducing their risk for systemic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Orthodontics
Children with a strong foundation of good oral health are more likely to avoid future dental problems. Pediatric dentists will monitor a child’s progress to ensure their baby teeth are growing correctly and their permanent teeth arrive at the right time.
Pediatric dentistry focuses on educating kids and their parents about healthy lifestyle habits that can last a lifetime. These include brushing and flossing, avoiding oral trauma, and eating a nutritious diet that supports a strong jaw and tooth structure.
When an orthodontic issue arises, like crowded teeth or a misaligned bite, a pediatric dentist can treat the problem early with growth modification techniques. This can reduce the need for more drastic treatment, such as jaw surgery. In some cases, the child may even avoid needing braces altogether! Early treatment allows the dentist to create space for adult teeth and encourage natural jaw growth.
Emergency Care
When a child is experiencing an oral health issue, they should see a pediatric dentist rather than a general dentist. This is because children have specific oral needs, which require specialized training.
Pediatric dental specialists are trained to address the unique needs of children from infancy through adolescence. They are also highly skilled in behavior management techniques, which can help children overcome anxiety and cooperate during treatment.
Dental trauma, such as tooth fractures from sports injuries or biting into hard foods, may require emergency care. Early intervention by a pediatric dental specialist can help reduce pain, prevent complications, and minimize the need for costly dental treatments down the road.
In addition to treating acute emergencies, a pediatric dentist can provide education and guidance for parents on preventive dental services. This may include helping them to break bad habits, such as thumb sucking and teeth grinding, which can have long-term negative impacts on a child’s oral health.