Would you ever consider taking your young child to a general doctor instead of a pediatrician? Chances are probably not. When it comes to your child’s oral health, the same concept applies. Your child should see a pediatric dentist regularly in order to get the proper care that their growing smile needs. Brushin’ on Belmont is a great choice in a Chicago pediatric dentist and we’d love to explain the importance of choosing a dentist that specializes in pediatric dentistry!
Specialized Training and Education
To start, it is important to recognize what it means to specialize in pediatric dentistry. Much like a pediatrician focuses specifically on your growing child’s overall health and development, a pediatric dentist focuses on your child’s developing smile, providing care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with unique health needs. This means they are essentially an expert on treating and providing pediatric dentistry.
Pediatric dentists are different from general family dentists in that they’ve had more training
specifically in treating children. Pediatric dentists typically have an extra two years of training in pediatrics after completing four years of dental school. They are experienced and familiar with common tooth concerns, diseases, and development that are both typical and uncommon in children, and can help you as a parent watch out for potential problems.
Think of it this way: a pediatric dentist sees countless child patients on a weekly basis. Therefore, they are likely seeing similar cases and experiences in children since children typically encounter similar issues through growth. A dentist that sees a few child patients on occasion won’t have this kind of insight. Children’s teeth are much different than adult teeth.
Preventative Care
You should take your child to the dentist at least by their first birthday. This way, your pediatric dentist can help your child start developing healthy oral care habits at a young age. They will walk you through common stages of your child’s oral health as their teeth start to come in and develop. They will help you discuss any habits that your child has such as thumb-sucking and using a bottle, and can offer you the best way to help your child break any bad habits and develop good ones. They will additionally go over a diet and help your child prevent cavities at an early age.
Kid-Friendly
We know that dentist offices can be intimidating to children. A pediatric dentist is very used to these fears and knows how to help your child feel at ease. Many pediatric dentist offices are kid-friendly, with toys in the waiting room and a colorful office and exam rooms that appeal more to children. Additionally, most pediatric dentists use smaller sized equipment with children that feel less intimidating. While it’s perfectly fine to use adult sized equipment, smaller tools are much more welcoming. A pediatric dentistry office also will hand out stickers, toys, or balloons at the end of the appointment to make your child more comforted and excited to come back!
At Brushin’ on Belmont, Dr. Robert Govoni provides pediatric dentistry services and will help your child feel at ease during their visit. Our goal is to help your child feel good about going to the dentist and understand the of the importance of visiting the dentist regularly. Their first exam will include a complete examination of the teeth and soft tissues, a teeth cleaning, and a review of oral hygiene habits and diet, among other services as needed.
We are your family dental care providers in the Chicago area and offer general and cosmetic dentistry in addition to our pediatric dentistry services. Schedule a visit for your child today to help start their smile on the right track!