What Treatments Do Pediatric Dentists Provide?

pediatric dentistry

Pediatric dentists take an additional two to three years of special training after finishing their dental requirements. These doctors treat infants and children through adolescence. It is important to seek out a pediatric dentist for your child by the age of one, or when their first teeth erupt. Visiting the dentist at a young age sets the stage for the future, and teaches your child how to practice good oral hygiene habits.

At Upbeat Pediatric Dentistry, we welcome all of our pediatric patients to visit our office beforehand and take a tour. We want all of our patients to feel comfortable and relaxed when they visit the dentist for the first time. Our staff is trained to work with children, and we always strive to provide exceptional care.

Pediatric Services

Upbeat Pediatric Dentistry offers many pediatric services to keep your child’s teeth looking great. Visiting our office can help get in front of any issues, and allow us to track their development each time they visit.

Diagnosis and Exams

When your child visits our office, we will complete a thorough exam of their teeth and mouth. We look for things like overbites, underbites, or teeth grinding. Correcting these issues early on is important.

Oral Education

Our team is trained to help teach our pediatric patients how to take care of their teeth, and practice good oral hygiene habits at home. We work with the parents and give them tips on what products to use, as well as diet recommendations to keep their teeth healthy.

Dental Treatments

Preventative treatments are offered such as fluoride or sealants. We watch primary teeth closely, and make sure they do not become misaligned. We offer pulp therapy if your child has had any injury or oral trauma.

Other Services

Other services done in our office include fillings and teeth extraction. Pediatric dentists can fix a chipped or broken tooth, and can treat teeth for sensitivity. As your child grows, we will watch their teeth to see if any orthodontics are needed, and ensure their jaw is developing normally. If necessary, we can refer you to our preferred orthodontist.

What Can I Expect During My Child’s First Visit?

Visiting the dentist for the first time can be stressful, and we want your child’s first appointment to go well. When you contact our office for the first time, we always welcome our new patients, and offer you to tour the office prior to your first appointment. This helps the child feel comfortable when they return that day for their appointment.

During your child’s appointment we examine their teeth and take any x-rays needed. Our doctors will check for any developing cavities and recommend treatment if necessary. Our team provides a thorough exam of their teeth and jaws to check their development and to make sure we do not see any concerns.

Talking with the parents during the visit is important, and we always ask if there are any ongoing health issues with your child. This also gives the parents the ability to ask any questions or discuss any concerns they have about their child’s oral health. Our staff will also review oral hygiene habits at home to ensure your child is taking good care of their teeth. Positive reinforcement and encouragement are important at Upbeat Pediatric Dentistry. When your child is finished with their appointment, our staff will provide a prize at the end of their visit as an incentive for good behavior.

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

If you are interested in a pediatric dentist, and are ready to schedule your child’s appointment, please contact Upbeat Pediatric Dentistry, and our friendly staff will assist you. We look forward to your visit, and are excited to have you join our dental family.

Why are my Child’s Teeth Not Coming In?

Pediatric Dentistry

In most children teeth erupt normally and there are no issues. On the other hand there are cases when parents may notice their child’s teeth are not erupting at a normal rate, or not at all. If you notice your child’s teeth are not erupting properly it may be time to bring them in to see their dentist.

One of the many reasons it is important to establish a relationship with your child’s dentist at an early age is so we can keep an eye on their teeth, and get in front of any issues. Knowing ahead of time your child may have an issue can help prevent further complications. There are a few common reasons why teeth may not erupt properly in children.

Space Is Limited

In many cases children do not have enough space in their mouth for permanent teeth to erupt properly. Permanent teeth are larger and wider than baby teeth, and this can cause an issue if there is not enough space available.

Impaction

Impaction is when a permanent tooth is unable to erupt on its own. Impacted teeth develop under the gums and can be caused by extra teeth, lack of space, or narrow jaws. If your child has impacted teeth we will refer you to an orthodontist for treatment. Orthodontic treatment is typically needed to help make the necessary space in the mouth. A simple procedure is done to uncover the impacted tooth under the gum, and gently pull the tooth into place.

Teeth Erupting the Wrong Way

A common issue children face is when their permanent teeth erupt in the wrong direction. This typically happens to either the upper canine teeth or the lower bicuspids. If your child’s teeth are erupting in the wrong direction you will be referred to an orthodontist to help move the teeth into the correct position.

Extra Teeth

Another common issue with tooth eruption in children is when they have too many teeth. This condition is called hyperdontia, and the extra teeth can block permanent teeth from erupting. To correct this issue we may recommend extracting the extra teeth that are causing an issue. For this condition, orthodontic treatment may be needed.

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions can affect if and how teeth erupt, as well as the development of the jaw. If development is affected by a medical condition, this can delay permanent teeth from erupting on time. Common medical conditions that may cause an issue are down’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, and rickets.

Ready To Visit Your Child’s Dentist?

If you feel your child has an issue with their teeth erupting please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment in our office. Our team is here to help, and the sooner we can take a look at your child’s teeth the quicker we can devise a treatment plan.

Your child’s health is our priority, and our team always strives to provide the very best care for all of our patients.

If you have a concern about your child’s teeth, and you would like to schedule an appointment please contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Do Pediatric Dentists Perform Surgery?

Pediatric Dentisty

A Pediatric dentist treats children from birth through adolescence. Pediatric dentists have skills to interact with infants and children, and this makes visits comfortable and easy for both the parent and child. Finding that perfect pediatric dentist is important, and helps to set the tone for good oral hygiene.

Pediatric dentists provide many procedures and treatments to help keep your child’s teeth and mouth developing properly and feeling great.

Common Pediatric Dentistry Services

  • Cleanings and exams
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Dental sealants
  • Deep cleaning
  • Fitting oral appliances such as mouthguards
  • Surgical procedures including tooth extractions, tooth implants, gum surgery and tissue grafts
  • Treatments to restore damaged teeth such as fillings, crowns, and root canals

What Surgeries Does a Pediatric Dentist Perform?

Pediatric dentists perform surgeries that include implants, tooth extractions, gum surgery, and tissue grafts. If your child has been recommended for oral surgery, and the surgery required is not a common surgery done by your pediatric dentist, they will refer you to an oral surgeon. Typically if the surgery involves impacted teeth higher in the gum line, or other areas that are not easy to reach an oral surgeon is required.

Pediatric dentists must complete three or more years of undergraduate education, as well as graduate with either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). In addition, pediatric dentists must complete an additional 2-3 years of specialized training specifically for diagnosing and treating children.

Pediatric dentists should be seen when an infant gets his or her first tooth or no later than one year old. Attending regular exams and cleanings every six months sets the tone early on, and teaches children at a young age how to care for their teeth. How often your child needs to be seen depends on their dental needs and level of plaque buildup.

Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home and eating a healthy diet can help teach your child how to take great care of their teeth and mouth. Establishing a good relationship with your dentist is important, and gives your dental team the opportunity to monitor your child’s development and get in front of any issues.

Interested in Scheduling Your Child’s Exam?

If you are interested in scheduling your child’s dental exam and cleaning our team is here to help. We provide the highest level of service, and always make sure all of our patients are comfortable and relaxed. We want each appointment to be an exceptional one!

To schedule an appointment please contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!