Good dental habits start when we are young. It’s a well-known fact that if a child develops sound dental habits during their younger years, they are more likely to keep those up into adulthood. However, children are often wary of going to the dentist. This makes some parents postpone their child’s first important dental appointments. At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, our pediatric dentists can help you understand the right dental plan for your child and help your child feel relaxed when coming in to what can be nerve-wracking dental offices for their regular checkups.
WHAT IS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY?
Pediatric dentistry is simply the dental work done on infants and young children. Preventative treatments are the primary focus of our dental team when we see children. We work with parents to help them know how to best care for their child’s teeth and gums so that they don’t experience oral diseases later on. We have pediatric dental specialists specifically trained to see children, meaning you and your whole family can enjoy excellent care at our office.
HOW IS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY DIFFERENT?
Pediatric dentistry is different than general dentistry in that it is suited specifically for children. This type of dentistry is used to help teach children good oral care habits. It also involves teaching parents how to best care for their children’s teeth.
We are often asked when a child’s first visit to the office should occur. The first visit to the dentist should happen after your child gets their first tooth or around their first birthday (whichever comes first). At this point, you should schedule regular visits to the dentist to make sure their teeth are coming in well. Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth since they are instrumental in creating the space for permanent teeth to grow in, as well as helping your child eat and speak. Our team has many preventative measures to make sure your child’s oral health is optimal.
PREPARING FOR YOUR CHILD’S FIRST VISIT
At your child’s first dental visit, we will make sure they are relaxed. You are encouraged to stay with your child during this visit to help answer any questions and to make them feel calm. The point of this visit is to review your child’s current health and oral habits as well as create a plan for proper oral habits going forward.
The first visit to our dental office will consist of a comprehensive examination and, depending on the age of your child, a dental cleaning. We will want to discuss their nutrition, oral hygiene, and health history. This is all to help our team understand your child and their health better.
If any tooth decay is found, we can create a treatment plan and recommend the best options for your child. Our dental team will provide you with oral care instructions for your child to make sure you are protecting their growing smiles from any disease or decay. During this visit, we will outline any existing issues, oral care habits, orthodontic needs, and recommend how often your child needs routine dental checkups.
WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES DOES CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY INCLUDE?
There are many services that we curate for our younger patients. These services are:
- Comprehensive Exam
- Dental Cleanings
- Oral X-Rays
- Dental Sealants
- Re-Mineralization Therapy
- Fillings
- Crowns
Pediatric Dentistry in Reno, NV
If you are ready to take the next step in your child’s oral care, then come in for a consultation at our office. At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, educating parents and children on dental care and oral hygiene is a priority for us. We hope to help our patients make lifelong oral care habits.
We have a full range of pediatric and family dentistry services so that you and your children can have beautiful, healthy smiles. If you wish to find out how we can help your child’s oral health, then call our office or fill out an online form.
For families worried about the cost of dental care, our office staff is happy to provide you with information about accessing dental insurance through the marketplace or setting up a financing program to make this essential care affordable for all.