What is a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric dentistry is a specialized field of dental treatment, revolving around the dental care needs of children. Dentists who specialize as pediatric dentists are called pedodontists. A good pedodontist has taken specialized classes and additional training beyond that of most regular or general dentists, in order to learn about the best treatment for pediatric or children’s dental problems.

What Does a Pedodontist Do?

A pedodontist provides many dental treatments to children, ranging from routine dental care – such as cleanings – to x-ray examinations and working to determine if a child’s jaw and teeth are developing properly. For most pedodontists, there is a lot of emphasis on preventative dental care. This is because early intervention and proper dental practices can make a child much less likely to develop dental problems – such as cavities or occlusions – as they progress into adolescence and then adulthood.

Your child’s pedodontist will likely spend a lot of time with your child, teaching the child how to properly care for their teeth and gums. This dental education – at an early age – can stay for a child for a lifetime, establishing regular, healthy dental habits such as flossing and proper tooth brushing. The pedodontist may also choose to perform procedures such as tooth sealants, which work to prevent cavities.

Pediatric Dentists Comfort Children

You know that some adults have an exaggerated fear of seeing the dentists. Some children experience the same dread. A dental office can be a scary place for a child, with all of the specialized dental equipment and the sounds made by some of the dental machines. However, an experienced pediatric dentist – your child’s pedodontist – knows how to work with a frightened child, comforting them and relaxing them before proceeding with an exam or any treatment processes. A good pedondontist will set your child at ease, explaining everything that is going on, and never creating an atmosphere of fear.

A positive dental experience – especially for a young child – is likely to result in the child growing into an adult who is comfortable with routine dental care and who regularly get dental checkups. Establishing a good relationship with their own dental needs, at a young age, means your child is going to have less dental problems as they age, avoiding many of the dental pitfalls of their peers.

Go back to Our Specialties