Pediatric Dentist – Kids Dentist
Pediatric dentistry requires a more specialized approach than general dentistry. A good pediatric dentist should have both extra training and experience treating patients of all ages. Our pediatric dentists are dedicated to maintaining the oral health of your children from infancy. We have the knowledge and experience needed to care for your child’s teeth and gums throughout various stages of childhood. Children require special care when they visit the dentist. It is not always easy for a child to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Our pediatric dentists know how to interact with children in ways that make them comfortable. We also use specially designed dental equipment that are decorated and arranged with your child in mind. We offer pediatric dentistry with care and patience at Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry. Your child’s oral health and confidence start with us. Contact our office in Layton, UT to schedule a dental office appointment for your child!
When Should My Child Start Visiting the Dentist?
You should start scheduling regular dental visits for your child after their first birthday or once their teeth have started to come in. Most children begin to grow their baby teeth at six months old. If you feel your child’s teething is delayed as an infant, you should consult with our pediatric dentists. An infant’s tooth and jaw progression will determine when it is safe for them to begin solid foods. Their speech development will also be affected by their oral development. After their first appointment, we may recommend that your child return for check-ups about once every six months. These simple check-ups will ensure your child’s teeth are developing in a healthy and correct way. We also help alert parents about teething and when they can expect their child to experience normal pain. Our pediatric dentists can also advise you on ways you can manage your child’s pain to make them as comfortable as possible while experiencing teething.
Children go through many changes within a short period of time as they grow; the teeth are no exception. By the time your child is six years old, they start to lose their first set of teeth. These teeth are replaced by their secondary, permanent teeth. Consistent dental appointments will help prevent any oral health concerns, like tooth decay before, they have a chance to begin. With consistent proper dental care, children can avoid possible tooth decay and diseases that can result in pain and serious complications over their lifetime. We want to help you teach your child proper oral care to prevent this from ever happening.
Why Is Pediatric Dentistry So Important?
Children usually start to lose their baby teeth around six years of age. While these primary teeth are not permanent, they should still be protected from cavities and decay. If a child develops a cavity in one of their primary teeth, the problem will not just go away when that tooth falls out. Tooth decay, when left untreated, will continue to spread and lead to more serious problems like gum disease and difficulty eating or speaking. Baby teeth also pave the way for permanent teeth to come in as smoothly as possible. Keeping them healthy and allowing them to fall out only when they’re ready will go a long way in making sure the adult teeth will erupt as they should.
Creating good dental habits early on in life also greatly reduces the risk of oral health concerns later on, which can result in very high costs and painful procedures. We never want your child to have to experience this. It is also very important for us to create a relationship with your child so they look forward to their dental visits. That is why we go out of our way to create a fun and effective experience every time your child comes in for an appointment. Our goal is not only to prevent tooth decay but to also teach our patients how to prevent it on their own. We want to help your child create healthy oral habits for life.
How Can I Help My Child Keep a Healthy Smile?
The first and best line of defense against tooth decay is good oral hygiene. This includes daily brushing and flossing, both of which you will need to help your child with for the first few years of his or her life. Even if your child is independent and wishes to brush their own teeth, it is still important you perform the final brushing. This is the best way to boost their confidence while still making sure their teeth are completely cleaned. You can also help your child feel more involved and in control by letting them pick out their own toothbrush. Doing this will help get your child excited about brushing their teeth. Many children’s toothbrush and toothpaste brands will have their favorite television characters on them as well. By creating a consistent routine around brushing, your child will quickly learn that brushing their teeth is simply something that is done everyday by everyone.
Fluoride treatments and dental sealants can also strengthen the teeth and prevent cavities. Sealants, for example, will keep plaque and debris from getting trapped between tiny grooves in the teeth. When your child is first learning to brush their teeth, they may not quite understand that they should not swallow toothpaste. By receiving fluoride and sealant treatments early on, parents are able to use non-fluoride, practice toothpaste that is safe to swallow until they learn to spit out water and toothpaste properly.
If you are ready to begin your child’s oral health check-ups, or you have concerns about your child’s current oral health, we are the pediatric dentistry your child needs. We even provide a free dental exam for children three years old and younger because we want their first experience at the dentist to be a positive one.
Visit Hillfield for Comprehensive Pediatric Dental Care
At Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry, we serve Layton, UT and the surrounding area with our dental office for patients of all ages. Contact us today to get your child started on the path to healthy teeth for life!
