When choosing dental care for your family, you may be tempted to select a family dentist. The convenience of having all of your dental needs handled under one roof is pretty appealing. But, you may be surprised to learn that your dental care needs differ from those of your child’s. Enter: The Pediatric Dentist.
Children’s mouths are constantly changing and developing. Even before the first tooth erupts, there are a lot of changes that happen beneath the gums from hormones, growth spurts, diet, genetics—the list goes on.
Psychology plays an important role in pediatric dentistry. A pediatric dentist is trained to handle children that may have anxiety about the dentist, as well as provide helpful tips for parents in order to help them prepare for appointments and cut down on the unneeded fear of the dentist.
So, why choose a pediatric dentist? Don’t they learn the same things as a general dentist? The answer is yes – and no. A pediatric dentist specifically chooses their profession to study the dental needs of children in-depth. A pediatric dentist studies typically 2-3 years beyond that of a general dentist in order to learn about child development, emotional development, child psychology, children with special needs, childhood diseases, and much more. Typically, a pediatric dentist also participates in continuing education specifically geared towards the dental needs of children.
To learn more about about dental care and help us parents make more informed decisions about our children's oral health needs, we asked Dr. Paula C. Cerqueira, at Orange Children’s Dentistry a few questions.
When should my child first visit the dentist?
A child first visit to the dentist should be by his/her first birthday or by his first tooth eruption
What happens during my child's first visit to the dentist?
The dentist does an examination of the teeth and gums, discuss oral hygiene techniques, diet counseling to parents or guardians and dental cleaning.
Do we need to see a pediatric dentist?
A pediatric dentist is a dentist that has chosen and dedicated their dental career to the oral health of children from infants to late teens. The pediatric dentist has the education and experience to address and care for a child’s teeth, gums, mouth and growth through all the stages of childhood. A pediatric dentist is one who has completed four years of dental school and plus 2-3 years of additional years of residency training. We also have additional training with special needs children.
How can I get my child ready for his/her first visit to the dentist?
The answer depends on the age of your child. An infant will not need to be prepared. Make sure to not schedule the appointment during nap times. An older toddler/preschool age could benefit from reading books about trips to the dentist. Practicing opening wide and closing and reassurance.
What are your favorite tips for a child's first trip to the dentist?
Don’t schedule during nap time, bring your questions and concerns and a charged phone to capture the moment. Avoid negative words like hurt, pain, shot. Don’t threat your child with comments like “if you don’t brush your teeth the dentist will have to take them all out” or “the dentist will give you a long needle”
Can I go into the exam room with my child?
Yes, we recommend it. It’s a visit not just for the child but also for the parents, to learn and ask questions.
What should I do if my child has a negative reaction to his/her first visit?
Don’t worry, most children do not like any one in their mouths neither trusting a new person. It is normal for them to become upset while we are counting and cleaning their teeth. This whole process does not take too long. Reassure your child that everything is going well. Encourage your child by using positive reinforcement, like “you are doing great”, “let’s see how many teeth you have”,” let’s sparkle your teeth clean”, “ I’m so proud of you”. Remember that you are laying down a foundation for the next visits and your child’s dental health. It is so important to set up dental visits in the most positive way.
For more info, please contact Dr. Paula C. Cerqueira at:
Orange Children’s Dentistry
518 Boston Post Road Suite 4-5
Tel: (203) 404-2224
