Taking your child for their first dental visit can be a big milestone. It is common for parents to feel nervous about the appointment because they want to ensure that the dentist will protect their child’s health.
When patients hear the term “family dentistry,” they automatically assume that it is a good clinic for a young child. But don’t overlook the benefits of choosing a pediatric dentist instead. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind:
Family Dentistry = People of All Ages
A dentist who offers family dental services will work with young children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. This wide range of experience can be good for many situations, but the dentist might not have the specialized experience that you want for your child. You should consider the treatments that are needed, as well as the experience of the dentist.
Family dentists are fully trained and qualified to offer dental care to people of all ages. But, they don’t have the benefit of extra years of training to focus their expertise on children.
In comparison, a pediatric dentist specializes in children. An additional two or three years of training is necessary after dental school is over. During this extra training, the pediatric dentist received more information and experience focused solely on the dental care of infants and young children. These skills are also helpful for older children with special needs.
Why You Need a Pediatric Dentist
Visiting a pediatric dental office increases the chances that your child will have a positive experience during the appointment. This memory is critical to help the child feel safe visiting the dentist throughout their life.
Plus you can rest assured that the dentist understands the unique challenges and concerns regarding the growth of children’s teeth. This high level of training will set your child up for success. The dental care that your child receives in the early years of their life will have a domino effect to impact dental health as an adult.
Not only will the pediatric dentist understand the specialized treatments that might be needed, but the dentist can also teach you about caring for your child’s teeth. You can learn about the different growth stages, as well as best practices to encourage your children to develop healthy dental habits.
If you are preparing for your child’s first dental visit, then you should talk to our team about the benefits of pediatric dental care. Riverstone Pediatric Dentistry is here to assist with anything that you need!
