Should you choose a Pediatric Dentist?
When you think about taking your child to the dentist, some of your childhood fears may resurface. We want you to know that they don’t have to. Our friendly staff work our hardest to provide a fun and comfortable atmosphere, especially for children. Between our exceptional staff and pediatric specialists, we understand children. We understand the dentist can initially be a scary place, but we aim to make the whole experience fun, so they want to come back!
Can you tell me more about a Pediatric Dentist?
Similar to how pediatricians treat children’s medical needs, our pediatric dental professionals are specifically trained to treat your child’s oral needs. Pediatric dentists are required to take two to three years of specialized training at university pediatric facilities, in addition to the four years of dental school and four years of college. They are taught how to deal with certain behavioral needs of children, which include calming techniques. Pediatric dentists are also trained on how to treat children with special needs. On top of these techniques, we offer a kid-friendly environment to help your child feel comfortable.
What dental problems could my child have?
Many oral issues start at a young age. A common problem is tooth decay. This is usually caused by a child using their bottle (or breast) longer than they should. Another major issue is gum disease. Nearly 40 percent of children ages two to three have a form of mild inflammation of their gums. Digit sucking and grinding teeth can also turn into oral issues overtime.
Not only do strong baby teeth help your child chew properly and speak clearly, they are essential in providing a healthy foundation for permanent teeth to grow and develop. Problems in baby teeth can transfer to adult teeth. The earlier your child sees one of our pediatric dentists at Advanced Dental Associates of East Stroudsburg, the healthier your smile and overall health in the future will be.
Should baby teeth be treated the same as adult teeth?
Baby (primary) teeth allow you to chew properly and help your speech development. When your child can chew and speak well, they become more confident. It is important to take good care of your baby teeth because they set the foundation for your adult teeth to grow comfortably and correctly into place. Teeth can come in crooked if a child loses a tooth too soon. Baby teeth that are decayed can be extremely painful and cause abscesses and infections, which spread and compromise your adult teeth. Children’s permanent teeth and molars may not fully come in until ages 10-14. They need strong and healthy baby teeth to set a good foundation for when their adult teeth grow in.
Should I prepare my child for their first visit?
We suggest reading children's books about the dentist with your child. They will associate the dentist’s office with how the story made them feel and learn basic terms and knowledge. You may be surprised by your child’s reaction to our office. We do our very best to make sure every member of the family, especially children are happy, comfortable, and relaxed at all times.
Do children need preventative care?
We don’t want any child’s teeth to be compromised by tooth decay. We use a variety of preventative dental care treatments with children in mind. Our sealant technology can help protect your child’s teeth from developing plaque and tooth decay. This is only one of the preventative care options we offer to you and your children.
To learn more about our pediatric dentistry or to make an appointment, call us today at (570) 424-6560 or go online!