So what does a Pediatric Dentist do?
Pediatric Dentistry is a age-specific specialty that provides preventive and surgical dental care for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. Pediatric dental offices are fun, colorful and kid friendly places that put your child at ease from the very beginning. Pediatric Dentists focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of oral health. Education is a key part of any pediatric dental practice. Dr. Daves not only can help your child understand the importance of daily oral care but can also help you as a parent by giving advice on the proper toothpaste selection, diet, thumb sucking cessation, and a wide range of topics related to your child's oral health.
What Dental problems could my child have?
Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is early childhood caries, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle, breastfeeding or sippy cup too long. Cavities between the teeth are very common. They are not visible without dental x-rays in their early stages of decay. By the time a child has pain associated with these type of cavities, the teeth require more extensive treatment or removal. Another problem is gum disease. About 40% of children two to three years old have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues. Oral habits (such as thumb-sucking) should also be checked. Many oral diseases, such as canker sores, can be treated before they become advanced and cause unnecessary pain for your child. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, Healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly and feel good about his or her appearance.
Why are baby teeth so important?
Baby teeth are important because they help with proper chewing and eating, help in speech development and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly and smile confidently is happier child. Healthy baby teeth allow normal development of the jawbones and muscles, save space for permanent teeth and guide them into place. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent teeth may come in crooked. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain, abscesses, infections, and can spread to the permanent teeth. Also, your child's general health can be affected if diseased baby teeth aren't treated. Remember, some primary molars are not replaced until age ten to fourteen, so they must last for years
What about preventive care?
Tooth Decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At Poplar Bluff Children's Dentistry we are concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use our expertise and gentle touch to make sure your child's oral health is at its very best. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child's teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child's lifetime of good oral health. Continual preventive care includes regular check-ups and cleanings with oral hygiene instruction. The timing of these depends on your child's specific needs, most commonly we recommended every six months or more often based on your child's needs.
What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?
We get asked this questions many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. This will not be frightening experience you may remember from your youth. If you are nervous about the trip, then the less you say the better. You cannot hide your anxiety from a child (they have radar for these things). Have fun reading books about dentistry with your child and encourage
play behaviors that mimic a dental visit with your child being the dentist and then the patient. Talk about how the dentist will help keep your child's teeth healthy and how they care about children. Your child's reaction to his or her first visit to the dentist may surprise you!
Why a Pediatric Dentist?
has your Child ever begged you not to leave the dentist? Impossible you say?
Not at our office. It could be our gentle touch and special way with kids of all ages.
Dr. Daves and her dedicated staff love children. Poplar Bluff Children's Dentistry is designed to make children comfortable and to feel at home. Dr. Daves is specially trained to put children at ease. We teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth; but just as important, they learn that going to the dentist can be fun!
What is a Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)?
In the same way that pediatricians are trained to meet a child's medical needs, pediatric dentists are uniquely qualified to protect your child's oral health, using the most advanced techniques....and all in our delightfully friendly treatment area!
Pediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of training at university pediatric facilities in the unique dental health needs of children, in addition to four years of dental school and four years of college study. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that the best time to start seeing a dentist is upon your child's first tooth or by his/her first birthday. General or Family dentist usually won't see children one year of age, and they aren't specifically trained to take care of children under the age of three.
Pediatric Dentistry
Poplar Bluff Children's Dentistry