A pediatric dentist is like a pediatrician for your child’s oral health. They go through two to three years of specialty training after dental school. This allows them to provide services from infancy through adolescence, including working with children with special needs.

Newtown Dentistry for Kids provides a child-friendly environment and a welcoming dental home to promote good oral health from an early age. Every child is different, and our pediatric specialist uses a range of approaches for each young patient.

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?

A pediatric dental specialist has additional training that helps them provide the best care for infants, toddlers, children, and teens. They are experts in working with children and making them feel more comfortable and positive about dental care. While your child can see a general dentist, there are many good reasons to seek out a pediatric specialist:

• They provide child dental care tips and educate parents and children about oral health.
• They teach and train children in oral hygiene to help establish good practices from an early age.
• Pediatric dentistry can address situations unique to children, like thumb sucking.
• A children’s dental office is a fun place for kids, while a regular office can seem a little scary or overwhelming.
• Pediatric dentists’ specialty training includes working with children who have special health and developmental needs.

Parents might be surprised to learn that cavities are among the most common chronic conditions in children. They can start early too. According to studies, nearly 28% of children between two and five have at least one cavity. Early pediatric dental care is essential for limiting or preventing tooth decay.

What Services Does Preventative Pediatric Dentistry Include?

A pediatric practice provides many of the same services as a general practice but caters them to children. Preventative pediatric dentistry is one of the most essential services for your child. Preventive care means fewer cavities and other oral health issues later on. Other services you can expect from a pediatric dental specialist include:

• Infant oral health care and dental exams
• Oral health and dental hygiene education
• Nutrition counseling
• Risk assessments for cavities and other oral health issues
• Fluoride treatments and sealants for preventing cavities
• Cavity repair
• Assessments for teeth straightening and referrals to orthodontists
• Screening for oral symptoms of chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and allergies
• Low-radiation dental X-rays
• Treatment for injuries, such as broken teeth
• Screening for and management of gum diseases

When Should My Child Start Going to the Dentist?

According to the American Dental Association, your baby should have their first dental visit after the first tooth comes in and before their first birthday. As soon as a baby has teeth, they can get cavities, so don’t wait too long. Your child should continue going in for checkups and cleanings every six months.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that parents choose a pediatric dentist provider before their child is 12 months old. The AAPD encourages parents to establish a dental home by this time.

A dental home is actually a relationship between a patient and a dentist. It establishes a routine for managing oral health at a young age and provides an accessible and family-oriented pathway to dental care.

Lifelong dental and oral health begins early; contact Newtown Dentistry for Kids or request an appointment online. And, as you prepare for your child’s first visit with us, check out our informative (and FREE!) eBook Cavity-Free is the Way to Be to learn how to protect your child from cavities.