Why Your Child Should Go to a Pediatric Dentist
Many people tend to think that all dentists have the same level of knowledge and can treat all ages equally. While it is true that general dentists have the ability to see small children in their offices, it’s not their specialty. Our Saginaw pediatric dentist, on the other hand, is fully invested in taking care of the smiles of patients who are 18 or younger.
Here are 4 aspects of pediatric dental care that set it apart.
Pediatric Dentists Have:
1) More Focused Training and Education
Both attend dental school for 4 years. This is on top of an already completed undergraduate degree in a related field. Where the two professions deviate, is after the graduation from their primary dental school.
General dentists go on to finish a residency period as determined by their state and pediatric dentists pursue 2-3 years of additional training centered around the dental treatment of infants, children, and teens. It’s like how you have general doctors who see you for your annual exam or when you get a cold and also specialists who yes, have the same base knowledge, but took things even further and became a cardiologist or neurologist.
For a pediatric dentist, the focus is on topics like:
- Baby teeth
- Mixed dentition (combination of baby and adult teeth)
- Child development and behavior
- Child psychology (with an emphasis on communication methods)
- Special needs dental care
- Dental sedation for children
Now, general dentists do still receive some education on how to effectively treat children while in school. Unlike those firmly in , they might not always feel the most comfortable dealing with younger patients. This is where professionals like our pediatric dentist shine. We LOVE kids and know how to make visits fun every time.
2) Designed the Office to Cater to Children
If you’ve walked into a dental office, you know the common look. Neutral walls, standard furniture, nice paintings, and unassuming carpet. The space is designed to keep you calm and not shock you with any bright paint colors or in-your-face art.
Children, however, may find this type of lobby boring. It might also further worsen the dental anxiety or fear they feel if there are no toys or activities present. Unfortunately, because general dentists largely treat adults, this space is more expected and not always tailored to kids waiting for their appointment. Even if there are some games or toys present, it’s not a focal point.
Inside our Saginaw, MI, pediatric dental office, we have designed our front lobby and exam rooms to be care-free, fun, and appealing to children of all ages. From our nautical-themed waiting room to our collection of books, toys, and stuffed animals, we allow kids to make the most out of their time with us.
3) Proportional Dental Tools and Equipment
When you’re not an adult, your mouth is small. Each tooth is also quite small. Because of this, specialized tools are needed to fit inside tiny mouths and treat baby teeth. A general dentist is less likely to have these types of pediatric dental materials at their disposal and may struggle slightly to accurately target a baby’s first tooth, for example.
Learn More → Tell-Show-Do: How We Make Your Child’s Visit Stress-Free
Our local pediatric dentist is equipped with the tools required to give your child the best and most thorough checkup. Of course, as your child grows older, we can also switch to larger dental instruments to accommodate them. Being able to adjust in this way makes it so our pediatric dentist can treat teens until they are 18, after which we perform one additional checkup. If your child has special needs, we can treat them beyond this age if necessary.
4) The Ability to Perform Orthodontic Assessments
There is a chance your child may need orthodontic treatment to correct bite issues, overcrowding, or the misalignment of their teeth. Thanks to early care by our pediatric dentist, we can pinpoint what exactly requires close attention and treatment with braces.
General dentists, on the other hand, aren’t as familiar with child development and the mixed dentition phase. When children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, it can be tricky to predict how new teeth will come in and affect the rest of the smile/jaw. Our dentist will evaluate your child by age 7 to determine whether early orthodontic intervention is necessary.
Make an Appointment
Sure, your child can be brought to a general dentist and receive great care, but it may not be as specialized as it would be from the start with our . If you’re interested in setting something up for your child, please call Great Lakes Bay Pediatric Dentistry today at (989) 792-9201 to request an appointment.
