Dental health is a very important aspect of overall hygiene and health. It not only ensures a good smile and prevents bad breath, you also get to steer clear from complications caused by poor oral hygiene, such as diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and so on.
To ensure optimal dental health, care must start at a very young age. Children must be educated about the need for proper dental care at a young age. This can help them realize the importance of taking good care of their teeth and gums as they grow up. Start ‘em young, they say.
Good thing, pediatric dentists in Cottonwood Heights provide parents with the necessary assistance in attending to the oral and dental care needs of their children.
What are pediatric dentists?
Your dental care needs change as you get older. Pediatric dentists are specialists dedicated to providing oral health solutions specifically to children. They attend to the changing and growing needs of young ones, from infancy to their teenage years.
A pediatric dentist must have at least four years of education in a dental school and two more years of residency training in dentistry for infants, children, and teens.
What treatments do they provide?
They provide a wide range of oral health care services. These include infant oral health examination, cleaning, fluoride treatment, assessment and treatment procedures targeted to fixing an improper bite or crooked teeth, and treatment for cavities.
Pediatric dentists also attend to dental injuries, such as knocked out or chipped teeth. They can also provide counseling, such as in the case of children who thumb-suck and use pacifiers. They can educate you about everything you must know about your child’s oral health.
What challenges do they face?
One of the biggest struggles pediatric dentists face is providing their little patients an enjoyable visit at the clinic. Kids are not always as cooperative and patient as you would need them to be. They have to be as gentle and fun so young ones don’t have a negative attitude toward dental health in general.
There is a fear of going to the dentist prevalent in kids as well as adults, called dental anxiety. It can cause them to skip dental visits for as much as they can. This is also fueled by unhealthy horror stories and movies centered on the subject.
That is why it is sometimes a challenge for dentists to perform examination and treatment. The good thing is that they have trained to treat kids in a way that make them feel at ease and comfortable. Most pediatric dentists have a playful and approachable personality so that kids don’t fear them.
In addition, pediatric dental clinics are equipped with special features and furniture designed for the unique need of children.
If you have a little one at home, it pays to find a pediatric dentist to attend to their needs. With the help of a dentist, you can teach your child the value of dental health, while making sure they grow up with healthy teeth and gums.
