Hello, are you scared of the dentist? I bet when you were young, you had a bad experience with a dentist. I'm Dr. Myrna Lazaga here in San Diego, California. Today, we're going to talk about Pediatric Dentistry. We get a lot of questions about that because a lot of our patients had a bad experience when they were young. So today we're going to get through those topics to help you better understand what Pediatric Dentistry is.
What is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pediatric Dentistry is a specialized part of Dentistry wherein the doctor or the dentist is board-certified to take care of children, especially those with special needs or children who have difficulty with the treatment they need. For example, when a child comes to my office with a lot of decay, I would refer that child to a pediatric dentist so they can do it all at once because they can better handle the treatment.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist?
The difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist is that pediatric dentists specialize in kids or children between about a year old to maybe nine or ten. It depends on when the kid usually gets tired of being treated as a child and wants to be treated as a big boy or big girl. Then they want to go to a regular dentist, which is a general dentist. The procedures are almost the same. Of course, pediatric dentists have special techniques to help the kids cooperate and to make it a more comfortable and better experience for the child.
When should my child see a dentist?
The moment you notice your child has teeth in their mouth, it's a good idea to have them checked by a pediatric dentist to minimize the risk of rampant decay by the time you notice it. So, the sooner you can bring the child to the pediatric dentist, the better.
What are the benefits of seeing a pediatric dentist?
The benefits of seeing a pediatric dentist are that the child would have a better experience and understand that dentists are not really scary folks; they're there to help. I remember one of my child patients came into the office and said, "I don't understand why people are scared of the dentist; they just want to help." I told the kid, "Wow, you're so smart" and it made my day.
What types of treatment do pediatric dentists provide?
Pediatric dentists provide almost the same treatments as regular dentists. They do extractions, fillings, crowns, and even baby root canals on baby teeth. A pediatric dentist can give you tips and instructions on how you, as a parent, can work together with your child to develop good habits in oral hygiene. Because the bottom line is, while we can recommend and give you tips, you have to implement it at home, and the child doesn't automatically do it. As parents, you will help your child develop good oral hygiene habits.
How long do kids go to a pediatric dentist?
Kids can go to a pediatric dentist as long as they want, but most of the time, I see kids transitioning from a pediatric dentist around nine to ten years old because they tell their parents, "I want to see a regular dentist because I'm a big boy now or a big girl now."
What should I look for in a pediatric dentist?
To look for a pediatric dentist, first of all, make sure that the dentist is a board-certified pediatric dentist and that they are child-friendly. Ensure they have a welcoming and warm office. Another thing nowadays is to check their Google reviews.
How do pediatric dentists make visits better?
A pediatric dentist makes a child's experience during their dental visit better because they have techniques that will help the child, especially those with special needs, to be comfortable. They are trained to take care of those special needs children.
Are pediatric dentists trained for special needs children?
Yes, pediatric dentists are trained in handling special needs kids, like autistic children. If I have a patient that I cannot handle, I would refer them to a pediatric dentist.
How can I schedule a pediatric dentist appointment?
When you have checked around your area for pediatric dentists, you can call their office. Or, if you have a regular dentist, you can get your child referred to those pediatric dentists they work with.
Again, I hope I answered all your questions. If you do have additional questions, please feel free to call our office at (619) 377-7586. We're looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you.