Why is Pediatric Dentist Important for Your Kid’s Oral Health?

A pediatric dentist specializes in children and has gone through extra training to provide them with the best care possible.

A pediatric dentist provides dental care for infants, children, and teenagers. They can identify oral diseases and malformation during their early stages and help diagnose the cause of these problems.

A pediatric dentist in Tampa aims to improve your child’s oral health as well as their development.

What is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty focused on the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric dentists have completed an additional two to three years of training after dental school.

Why is Pediatric Dentistry important?

Pediatric dentists are uniquely qualified to provide preventive and therapeutic care for infants, children, adolescents, and people with special healthcare needs. Pediatric dentists can address early dental decay with preventive measures such as patient education regarding nutrition and oral hygiene habits, which will aid in promoting good oral health. They can also perform corrective treatments for dental problems and provide advice on orthodontic treatment if needed.

What to Expect at Your First Pediatric Dentist Appointment?

Your child’s first pediatric dentist appointment will usually consist of a comprehensive exam, including a review of the medical history and current oral health status. The pediatric dentist will also guide oral hygiene to help you understand how to keep your child’s teeth clean after their next visit.

It is recommended that your child visits a pediatric dentist roughly every 6 months for regular dental exams and cleaning. Their first pediatric dentist appointment will happen when the baby teeth start to come in.

What Type of Pediatric Dental Treatments?

A pediatric dentist can offer several different types of treatments:

• Comprehensive Dental Exams: Dr. Millie Cortes will examine your child’s teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues for any signs of rough patches or cavities.
• Fluoride Treatments: Pediatric Dentist may recommend fluoride treatments to strengthen your child’s enamel. Fluoride treatments are typically done using fluoride varnish.
• Cavity fillings for Baby Teeth: Pediatric Dentist may recommend cavity fillings for baby teeth if the tooth is decaying and affecting the surrounding teeth.
• Space maintainers: Pediatric Dentist may recommend space maintainers for children losing their baby teeth too early. Space maintainers help keep the surrounding teeth in place until the adult tooth emerges.
• Braces: Pediatric Dentist may recommend braces for children who have crooked or misaligned teeth.
• Baby tooth extractions: Pediatric dentist may recommend tooth extractions for children who have baby teeth that are severely decayed or stuck in the mouth.
• Teething: Pediatric dentist can offer assistance if your child is experiencing significant discomfort from teething. They may provide different types of pain relief options to ease their discomfort until the teething process is complete.
• The pediatric dentist is important for your child’s oral health because they specialize in the care of
• Teeth Cleaning: Pediatric Dentist can perform cleanings to remove the accumulated plaques from the gum line.
• Dental Emergencies: Pediatric dentists are equipped with the knowledge and tools to manage tooth injuries like hitting against a toy, sharp pieces of food stuck in between teeth, or falls that may cause a tooth to be chipped or broken.
• Dental sealants: Sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, usually molars, to protect them from decay. This is a preventive measure that prevents cavities from forming on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. It seals out food particles and saliva that can lead to tooth decay. This sealant usually lasts about three years before needing replacement.
• Root canal treatment: Pediatric dentists can handle root canal treatment procedures, in cases where the nerve of a tooth is affected or infected by decay. Root canal treatment can help save the tooth and reduce complications associated with infections.
• Stainless steel crowns: Pediatric Dentist can also provide your child with stainless steel crowns, which are a better alternative to silver-colored metal crowns. Stainless steel crowns contain no mercury, and they don’t darken as quickly as silver ones. They’re strong and durable enough to last a long time, especially for children’s teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Wang and Cortes Dental for more information about pediatric dentistry services.