What Is a Pediatric Dentist and What Services Do They Provide?

There is nothing quite as precious as a child's smile, and as a parent, you would do anything to protect that confident glow. Part of this endeavor involves taking care of your child's pearly whites by visiting a pediatric dentist. Not only does a brilliant white and clean smile boost self-esteem, but adequate oral health also safeguards your child's overall well-being.

Pediatric dentists deliver oral care for adolescents, from infancy through the teen years.

What is a Pediatric Dentist?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, pediatric dentists specialize in providing oral care services and treatment for infants and children. Unlike other dental professionals, pediatric dentists do not concentrate on becoming experts in certain aspects of oral care. For instance, periodontists focus on gum health and endodontists specialize in root canal therapy. Rather, the focal point of pediatric dentistry is age-related care with a broader scope of dental disciplines.

Educational Background
Pediatric dentists must complete the same required four years of dentistry school as other dental health professionals, which typically follows a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology or anatomy. In pursuit of Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees, students learn about dentistry in class and develop skills through pre-clinical and clinical instruction.

While all dentists may attend post-graduate training, professionals who want to be pediatric dentists must also complete a two-year program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Through the advanced program, prospective pediatric dentists spend at least 24 months studying oral care for all adolescents, including infants, teens and children with special needs. Students graduate from this supplementary training with comprehensive knowledge of oral care for young patients, understanding the differences between a child's and adult's dental health and therapeutic needs.

Pediatric Dental Office Staff and Environment
Your child's pediatric dentist may be one among several in the office, or he or she may the sole practitioner. Either way, other staff members will be present to ensure your child receives the best care possible:

• Dental Hygienists: During routine appointments, dental hygienists clean and polish the teeth and apply fluoride or sealants. They typically stay with the patient for the duration of the appointment and provide home-care instructions.
• Dental Assistants: Kids often feel more comfortable with charismatic adults by their side to verbally guide them through the appointment. Dental assistants provide that soothing support and complete other duties, such as preparing equipment, recording data and transferring tools to the dentist or dental hygienist.
• Office Managers: A non-clinical position, office managers oversee the day-to-day operations at the dentist's office.
• Receptionists: Front desk staff members, such as the receptionist, manage appointment scheduling, work on payment plans with patients, maintain inventory and answer calls, among other duties. A receptionist or other front desk staff member will greet you when you walk into the office.

The look of the pediatric dentist office varies between locations, but they are often decked out in fun decor that little ones will enjoy. You may see walls in vibrant colors that promote a kid-friendly atmosphere, and the waiting room may have a playroom or an assortment of toys for young patients to play with until their appointment time.

What Services Do Pediatric Dentists Provide?

Pediatric dentists provide services similar to that of general dentists; they just adapt procedures to accommodate for adolescent needs. Depending on the clinical structure, dental hygienists may complete most routine procedures while the dentist will take over for dental health evaluations and advanced treatments.

Regular Cleanings
Usually completed by the dental hygienists, routine cleanings involve scraping off plaque, brushing the teeth, flossing and a fluoride treatment. Pediatric dentist offices may use tools designed for smaller mouths and have a wider selection of kid-friendly toothpaste flavors, such as chocolate, mint or bubble gum.

Cavity Fillings
Should the dentist spot a cavity in an X-ray, he or she will provide treatment. Pediatric dentists will even take care of primary teeth, commonly referred to as baby teeth. Simply removing a decaying primary tooth may lead to misalignment in the future and cause problems for erupting permanent teeth, and prompt treatment may help restore the tooth.

During a cavity filling, the dentist will clean the small hole that developed due to decay, removing all the bacteria. He or she will then fill that hole with a permanent material, such as gold, amalgam or composite resin. This procedure requires a shot of local anesthetic to numb the pain, which can be intimidating all on its own. For nervous children, the dentist may apply a numbing gel before administering the shot or use nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, to calm the patient.

Oral Injury Treatments
As noted, primary teeth are important to the growth and development of a child's smile. Should an injury occur, such as a chipped or cracked tooth from soccer practice, the dentist will likely try to restore it rather than extracting it. Depending on the severity of the injury, the dentist may smooth the tooth's surface to get rid of chipped edges, or your child may require bonding or veneers.

Dental Health Evaluations
A pediatric dentist will use patient feedback, observations and X-ray examinations to determine the status of your child's oral health. For example, the dentist will evaluate the growth pattern of your child's teeth to determine if he or she would benefit from braces. The pediatric dentist can also detect early signs of gum disease or cavities and prescribe the appropriate home-care instructions.

Consultations
The dental health professional can consult with you and your child about oral care at home, including how frequently children should brush and floss their teeth. The pediatric dentist can also provide expert insight into what dental care products are best for your kids. During this consultation, you will also discuss your child's lifestyle and habits and what role they play in his or her oral health and development.

Infant Dental Care
Primary teeth typically emerge when the child is about 6 months old, so infants require professional dental care. In fact, early childhood caries, often referred to as baby bottle tooth decay, is particularly common. A pediatric dentist can spot early signs of this condition and treat affected teeth. A dental health professional can also offer instruction on how to care for baby's gums before teeth even appear.

When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist?

Timing plays a crucial role in dental health, as detecting signs of decay or infection early increases your children's chances for successful outcomes. The desk staff at your pediatric dentist office will help you schedule appointments, but it's important to know general guidelines surrounding this component of oral care.

The First Visit
According to the American Dental Association, parents should schedule their children's first pediatric dentist appointments within six months after the first baby tooth erupts. However, the appointment should occur no later than the child's first birthday, even if teeth have not appeared yet.

Regular Appointments
Following the initial appointment, children and adults should visit the dentist once every six months for routine cleanings and evaluations. This allows the dentist to check up on the patient's dental health status and oral development and detect early signs of decay or infection.

Discomfort and Questions
Any time your child feels a toothache, you should schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist. Pain often indicates the presence of cavities or infection, both of which can only be treated by a dental health professional. Toothaches normally don't go away on their own, and ignoring the discomfort may worsen the oral health problem.

Is your child's smile starting to look misaligned? Are thumb-sucking and nail biting becoming an oral care problem for your family? You should also feel comfortable scheduling consultations with your dentist if you have any questions about your child's smile. After all, dental education is one of the services pediatric dentists provide.

Emergencies
Dental injuries such as a cracked, chipped or dislodged tooth require immediate care to save the tooth. A dentist can even repair a fully removed tooth under certain circumstances. Per the ADA, dentists create space in their schedules specifically for unexpected incidents.

Contact a pediatric dentist in your area to experience quality care and protect your child's dental health. 

How Can I Promote Oral Health in My Home?

Practicing proper dental hygiene at home won't replace the need to visit the dentist, but it certainly helps prevent cavities and infections.

Have the Right Supplies
Stock your medicine cabinets with the proper dental health tools for each of your children.

• Soft-bristled Toothbrush: Dentists typically recommend patients use soft-bristled toothbrushes because they are tough enough to remove plaque but gentle enough to protect delicate gums. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are especially useful for children who are just learning how to brush their teeth. Never share toothbrushes, as this promotes cross-contamination.
• Toothpaste: Your kids need only a pea-size portion of toothpaste to experience minty fresh breath. Not only does the flavor entice little ones to brush their teeth, but toothpaste often contains tiny abrasives, which help remove plaque and other bacteria. Speak with your child's pediatric dentist about which product best suits your family's needs.
• Floss: Interdental cleaning is the only way to remove plaque from between the teeth, and floss is the typical go-to method for this process. Waxed floss will allow the string to more easily slide through your child's teeth.
• Mouthwash: Kids love swishing and spitting mouthwash, and it is a great way to give them minty fresh breath and fight gum disease.
• Disclosing Tablets: Plaque is a colorless, sticky substance on your teeth that, when mixed with sugar and carbohydrates, can cause cavities. Brushing and flossing helps remove this substance, but because plaque is transparent, you may have trouble determining if you've removed it all. Kids are especially prone to leaving plaque behind, as they are just learning how to properly care for the teeth. Plaque disclosing tablets use a dye that only shows up in the presence of plaque, allowing your little ones to identify areas that need better cleaning.

Set Up a Regular Oral Care Routine
Dental health experts recommend brushing your teeth twice each day for two minutes at a time. Setting up a regular routine with your child will help him or her accomplish this task, such as heading to the bathroom sink immediately after breakfast and right before bed.

It is also recommended that you floss once per day. For young children, an adult may need to complete this step for them. Once they are a little older, kids may benefit from using plastic flossers that don't require wrapping string around the fingers. Plus, these products come in tons of kid-friendly designs and colors.

Eat a Healthy Diet
Stock your refrigerator and pantry with food that benefits your family's smiles. Fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains are all beneficial for your oral health. Meanwhile, cut out processed foods such as candy, chips, cookies and sugary drinks, including fruit juice and soda.

Timing is important in all aspects of dental health, including when your kids consume food and how long it takes for them to eat. Sugar and carbohydrates react with plaque to create acid, eroding the enamel. Eating in one sitting is better for their smiles than nibbling on food throughout the day, as intermittent snacks provide more opportunities for bacteria to damage the teeth. Additionally, having them brush their teeth immediately after a meal will stop acid attacks in their tracks.