Start Young: Why You Need to Take Your Child to a Pediatric Dentist

Maintenance of proper dental health starts at a young age. You’ll want a dentist to check your child’s teeth as he grows and make sure that his pearly whites are straight and cavity-free. Then again, you ought to know that the dental needs of children are different from those of an adult. Fortunately, there are dentists who are trained in handling the dental and oral care needs of young patients.

Special Needs Require Special Training

Needless to say, the best dentist in Guelph for your child is someone trained in pediatric dentistry like Dr. Shivesh Ruparelia of the Woolwich Dental Group. There are specific needs that children have when it comes to their dental health. For one, since children have their teeth growing in, it is possible for them to develop incorrectly. A pediatric dentist would be able to detect this and be able to do something about it like recommending corrective devices such as braces.

Another thing that a pediatric dentist is trained in is handling children on the dentist’s chair. Adults can behave themselves, but children are often fearful and hesitant about visiting a dentist. It takes a special approach and a kind personality to ensure that young patients remain calm and cooperative.

Dental Health Problems

Another reason you’ll want a pediatric dentist to treat your child is that they are aware of the specific dental problems faced by children. For example, babies can sometimes develop a case of baby bottle tooth decay, so-named because the tooth decay stems from frequent exposure to the sugars found in fruit juices, breast milk, and other beverages consumed by babies. It can cause pain and trouble for babies as they try to eat. Badly decayed teeth can even lead to infection. A pediatric dentist can help deal with the cavities; whether through repairing the teeth or by extracting them.

Another dental health problem that can crop up among children is gum disease. Chronic gingivitis is common among children; it is an infection caused by the same bacteria that causes tooth decay. It makes the gums swell and turn red. If left untreated it can become a worse problem and negatively affect the overall health and well-being of the child.

Maintenance

Finally, pediatric dentists can help instruct young children on how to properly care for their teeth. They teach proper brushing procedure and other steps that are required to ensure proper dental health. Furthermore, they can schedule regular dental exams for the checking of teeth and prophylaxis or cleaning if necessary.

  Source: GUM DISEASE IN CHILDREN, Perio.org Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy, KidsHealth.org Oral Health Problems in Children, MedicineNet.com