If you have kids, you know how difficult a trip to the dentist can be. It’s far from most children’s favorite activity and certainly not something that they look forward to. But it’s still important for children to establish a good relationship with their oral health.
One potential solution here is to take your kids to a pediatric dentist. Here’s what you should know about pediatric dentistry:
How it Differs from a General Family Dentist
While a general family dentist is certainly qualified to provide care for a child, a pediatric dentist will have more knowledge and experience in treating children. Pediatric dentists work exclusively with children and are trained not only to deal with baby teeth and the combination of baby and adult teeth that begin to emerge, but also to handle children with special needs. They have advanced education and will have different equipment geared specifically for young patients.
Advantages of Taking Kids to a Pediatric Dentist
As we covered, children can get nervous easily when having dental work done. Pediatric dentists can use distraction techniques and other methods to put them at ease, while taking special care to be aware of children’s pain signals. Additionally, they’ll be more proactive in treating common childhood dental issues. They’ll also be able to recognize early on whether your child is going to need braces. Perhaps most importantly, they’ll be an important voice in helping train your child to develop good oral health habits.
Pediatric Sedation
No matter how skilled a pediatric dentist is in providing comfort and a relaxing atmosphere for children, some kids just aren’t going to like having dental work done. That level of anxiety may make it difficult for parents to get them to office and it will make it difficult for the dentist to successfully care for the child. Luckily, some dentists do offer pediatric sedation as an option. This is essentially a safe process where the child is sedated through the length of their visit. This allows the dentist to complete their work and allows the child to have a more comfortable and relaxing experience.
Establishing a positive experience with the dentist at an early age is crucial for kids to maintain healthy teeth and gums and develop good oral health habits that will carry over into adulthood. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist who offers pediatric sedation, Capital Dental Group in Bakersfield, CA is the place to go! We offer in-house financing and a Membership Club for patients without dental insurance. Call 661-861-8000 to schedule your appointment today!