Pediatric Dentistry in Norcross

How Is Pediatric Dentistry Different?

Pediatric dentists treat kids from infancy to adolescence and all stages in between. These specialized dentists train first as general dentists, then complete rigorous pediatric training for an additional two to three years. This includes hospital training, where dentists learn to treat patients with more intense, complex dental needs and address emergencies requiring a pediatric oral surgeon.

Your child’s oral health greatly affects their overall health, so our kid’s dentists are careful to work in concert with your child’s pediatrician. If your child was referred to us for specialized care, our dentists will also collaborate closely with your child’s general dentist.

Is a Pediatric Dentist Necessary?

Pediatric dental specialists are knowledgeable about each unique stage of your child’s dental development, and that insight helps to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy throughout their childhood. Of course, a toddler dentist provides cleanings that help protect baby teeth, but your child’s dentist can also be a valuable resource for you. A pediatric dentist can give you helpful advice about things like using sippy cups and what to do about thumb-sucking and pacifier use. When children begin losing baby teeth, pediatric dental specialists can help ensure that your child’s mouth remains healthy as new, permanent teeth begin to emerge. As kids get older, issues such as participation in sports, consuming sugary foods and tobacco use may threaten your teen’s oral health. A pediatric dentist can be a helpful and trusted source of advice and guidance in these and other important issues. Throughout each stage, children’s pediatric dentistry provides regular check-ups, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments and other important dental care.

We understand that you may be concerned about the cost of pediatric dental visits. Rest assured that we strive to make your child’s care affordable, and we work with your insurance provider to reduce overall costs. Your investment in your child’s teeth is an investment in their good health. Studies show that the cost of early childhood dental care prevents much more costly treatments for long-term dental problems. Research also shows that kids who enjoy good oral health do better in school and are overall healthier than children who have poor oral health.

When Should My Child Go to the Dentist?

A child’s first visit should occur around the baby’s first or second birthday. If your child is older than that, that’s okay. Now is a great time to start your child’s lifelong habit of good dental care with a trip to the dentist.

Please keep in mind that some children may feel a bit frightened of the dentist, but we aim to make the visit enjoyable. You can also help make dental visits positive. Some parents find that rewarding their children with a smile-friendly treat after the appointment helps kids feel positive about the experience.

What’s Involved in a Child’s First Dentist Visit?

It’s an exciting day when your child first visits the dentist. During your appointment, our dentist will examine your child’s teeth and make a pediatric periodontics assessment of the structures supporting your child’s teeth. Your child will receive a dental cleaning for kids, and x-rays may be taken to verify certain diagnoses. The information we gather during this first visit helps our dentist develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your child’s unique needs.

We’ll also spend some time during this visit showing you how to properly brush and floss your child’s teeth. And, we’ll offer some tips for creating an effective oral health routine at home. During this visit, we invite you to ask our knowledgeable dentist about any of your concerns. We want you to have the latest information about issues affecting childhood tooth development such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, falling asleep with bottles or sippy cups and teething.

Can Your Dentist Treat My Special Needs Child?

We understand that visiting the dentist can be especially frightening for a special needs child. Our dentists’ advanced training helps us to put special needs children at ease so they can say comfortable while in our office. We also provide personalized programs for special needs kids, so feel free to give us a call to speak with one of our experienced team members and schedule an appointment.