If you have a child, you need to make sure they begin coming to see us when they turn a year old or when they get their first tooth. It is important that the team here at Children's Dentistry of DuPont gets to know them and can monitor their oral hygiene. However, your child will not see the same team member that you do. That is because children need to work with a pediatric dentist rather than a standard dentist. These experts have studied how a child’s teeth and gums develop, understand what oral illnesses they may suffer from, and know how to treat those illnesses. Our pediatric specialists, also known as kids’ dentists, are here to work with your children to ensure that they have strong teeth and healthy mouths.

What Special Training Does a Pediatric Dentist Receive?

Our pediatric experts have, of course, completed the standard four years of dental school. This basic training is required of everyone who wants to go into dentistry. However, following this, they then spent at least two more years doing their residency training. During this training, pediatric specialists focus their education on working with young patients, learning what it takes to diagnose and treat oral health issues in infants, children, and teens. They study complications related to permanent teeth, childhood oral illnesses such as thrush, and much more. They also learn how to connect with their young patients and help them both understand dentistry and feel comfortable.

Why Should a Child See a Pediatric Dentist?

Because they have trained in handling oral health conditions that affect infants, children, and teens, our pediatric experts are well-equipped to help our young patients. They have the specialized knowledge needed to help your child maintain good oral health. Children’s teeth, especially their baby teeth, are not the same as an adult’s. They need special care, especially early on and as your child is transitioning into their adult teeth. There are many issues that can affect a child’s oral health as they grow. Being treated by one of our pediatric team members means that your child is in the best hands possible.

What Do Our Pediatric Dentists Do?

It is easy to say that our pediatric experts do everything related to children’s teeth, and that is not far from the truth. They began doing exams with infants who are a year old. These lap visits include checking the gums, tongue, and other parts of the mouth to make certain everything is developing at the right pace.

As your child grows, they will begin examining their baby teeth, talking to your child about proper brushing techniques, and dealing with cavities or other issues. Dental sealants can be applied to prevent cavities. Later, they may work with one of our orthodontists to place braces or help your child with a misaligned bite. Of course, when your child reaches their teen years and has all of their permanent teeth, our pediatric team members will begin transitioning them over to one of our adult-focused experts.

We are always ready to help young patients with their oral health. Call Children's Dentistry of DuPont at (253) 244-9778 today to talk to one of our pediatric experts or to make an appointment.