Why Should I Take My Child to a Pediatric Dentist

July 2, 2019 Mitten Kids Dentistry

Children's Dentistry Grand Rapids, MI Pediatric Dentist

While most children are treated by the family dentist, other children may need specialized dental care that can only be provided by a pediatric dentist. For example, children with dental anxiety may do better seeing a pediatric dentist with experience in helping children feel at ease.

A pediatric dentist will also have experience in providing dental services for children with disabilities. In this blog post, we go over the reasons why a parent may decide a pediatric dentist is best for their child.

Offer Expertise in Children’s Teeth

While all dentists have to earn a bachelor’s degree and complete dental school, pediatric dentists undergo additional training to learn child behavior, how to treat growing teeth, and how to treat children with special needs.

This specialized training makes a pediatric dentist uniquely qualified to help keep your child’s teeth healthy through adolescence. While a family dentist provides dental care for people of all ages, a pediatric dentist focuses on providing dental health care for children up to age 17.

Ease Dental Fear

While most people don’t look forward to teeth cleanings and dental exams, children with dental fear may benefit from seeing a pediatric dentist. A pediatric dentist and their staff have experience helping children feel more relaxed in the dentist’s chair.

For example, the dental hygienist may sing songs or play little games to help keep your child calm, yet distracted from their dental anxiety.

Even the atmosphere in the waiting room is more welcoming for children and is usually decorated in a fun theme. For example, our office is decorated in a tropical jungle theme to help distract children from their fears and put them at ease.

From kid-sized sinks to more toys in the waiting room, our pediatric dentist in Grand Rapids is incredibly welcoming for children with dental anxiety.

Treat Children with Special Needs

Pediatric dentists have experience in providing dental care for children with special needs. For example, a child with autism may be upset to have their routine changed by a trip to the dentist or become over stimulated by unfamiliar noises. A children’s dentist will understand these issues and do their best to customize treatment to the patient.

Children with special needs may also need a dentist that understands how their circumstances affect oral health. For example, a child with Down syndrome may have teeth erupt from the gum line behind schedule. Pediatric dentists are also able to make accommodations for patients with limited mobility.

Treat Difficulties with Teeth Development

Pediatric dentists have undergone special training to treat children’s teeth as they grow. If your child has difficulties with teeth development, you may want to consider setting up an appointment with a pediatric dentist.

Pediatric dentists are also able to do specialized procedures like root canals on adult teeth that haven’t fully formed, a problem specific to children.

Call Our Office Today!

Brett Kingma DDS, Grady Randall DDS, and Alex Korte DDS at Mitten Kids Dentistry are dedicated to helping patients maintain healthy baby teeth through childhood. If you are interested in setting up your child’s first dentist appointment with our Grand Rapids pediatric dentists, call us at (616) 942-9840.

This blog post has been updated.

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