WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST? – Waco, TX Bellmead, TX
The Easy Choice For Growing Smiles
Many dental practices offer to see both children and adults, so why would a parent choose to bring their child to a pediatric dentist? It’s a question many families face, but with more information, the decision is pretty easy.
For kids, pediatric dentists are able to deliver a higher quality of clinical care thanks to their dedicated experience and special training, but they’re also adept at working with children and making sure appointments go at their pace. Would a pediatric dentist be a good fit for your child? Let’s find out together!
How is a Pediatric Dentist Different from a General Dentist?
Both general and pediatric dentists have to earn an undergraduate degree before eventually completing dental school. From there, a general dentist can start practicing right away. However, because pediatric dentistry is a recognized specialty, those who want to become pediatric dentists have to go through an additional residency that includes advanced training entirely focused on treating patients aged 18 and under. In addition to gaining experience working with younger patients, they also learn how to accommodate children with special needs so they’re able to receive the treatments they need effectively and comfortably.
What are the Benefits of Taking My Child to a Pediatric Dentist?
One of the primary benefits is one of the most basic—pediatric dentists love working with kids and have the patience to do so. So many general dentists claim to be “family-friendly,” but they tend to refer most of their child patients out—usually to pediatric dentists!
A pediatric dentist not only knows how to talk and relate to children, but they are also especially attuned to the different stages of dental development. A child’s mouth changes very quickly throughout the years, so being able to spot potential issues or signs of future problems is quite difficult compared to adult teeth that are very consistent.
What Ages Do Pediatric Dentists Treat?
A pediatric dentist is able to treat children ages 0-18, from infants to teens and everyone in between. They can tailor their approach and offer the particular services the different age groups need while monitoring a child’s oral development throughout the years.
Dentistry for Infants
Yes, you should bring your infant to the dentist! The first tooth usually appears at about six months, and the recommendation is to schedule your child’s first dental appointment before their first birthday. In addition to making sure their teeth are set up for success, our pediatric dentists can also help with bottle and breastfeeding problems stemming from lip and/or tongue tie.
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Dentistry for Toddlers
It’s crucial for toddlers to receive routine professional dental care because they will have most of their baby teeth, but they aren’t exactly old enough to brush and floss on their own. During their appointments, our team will answer any questions you might have about their diet and oral hygiene while making sure their initial dental visits are positive, fun experiences that will influence their relationship with dental care for decades to come.
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Dentistry for Children
This stage is when the baby teeth start to go away and the permanent teeth begin to appear, and this important transition is something we definitely want to keep an eye on. The early signs of orthodontic issues usually begin to appear in school-aged children, and by intervening early, we can stop many problems from occurring and dramatically reduce how much orthodontic care a child needs in the future. This approach also lets them enjoy a healthier, more attractive smile as soon as possible!
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Dentistry for Teens
The big challenge with most teens is simply getting them to care about their oral health. Between school, friends, and thinking about the future, many let their oral hygiene start to slip, and you can’t exactly brush their teeth for them anymore! On top of offering regular checkups, cleanings, and fixing any cavities that might pop up, we’ll also work with you and your child to ensure they are taking great care of themselves between appointments, giving you one less thing to worry about.
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Special Needs Dentistry
If you have a child with physical, mental, behavioral, or sensory special needs, then you don’t need us to tell you that taking them to the dentist can be difficult. Our dentists have received training solely focused on helping children with these challenges, and our team is more than happy to make whatever accommodations necessary to ensure a comfortable and calm visit every time.
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