As parents, we are very concerned about our children’s health. This includes their overall health and their oral health. We want to make the right decisions for their healthcare, but it’s not always easy. 

One choice that can be difficult is whether our child might benefit more from seeing a general dentist or a pediatric dentist in Westchester County, NY. Although general dentists are qualified to provide dental care to children, pediatric dentists are specialists in providing children with the best possible dental care, often making them a better choice for your child.

What Is the Difference between a General Dentist and a Pediatric Dentist?

A general dentist is a generalist like your family doctor. They are trained in the basics of every part of dentistry, including pediatric dentistry. They can help your child with dental care, but their knowledge and experience in the area are likely limited. 

On the other hand, a pediatric dentist, sometimes called a pedodontist, is like a pediatrician: a specialist in providing healthcare to children. After completing an education as a general dentist, a pediatric dentist completes at least two additional years of specialty training. This helps them understand how to adapt the goals, techniques, and tools to the needs of children. 

To help children get the oral care they need and deserve, pediatric dentists study several important disciplines that help them do their job better, including:

  • Behavior guidance
  • Supervision of orofacial growth and development
  • Cavity prevention
  • Sedation and pharmacological management
  • Hospital dentistry
  • Care of patients with medical conditions
  • Care of patients with physical and developmental disabilities

In addition, pediatric dentists get considerable practice working with children, which helps them develop a helpful rapport. Working with a pediatric dentist can help children develop a positive relationship with dentists and enjoy a lifelong commitment to caring for their teeth and getting proper dental care as needed.

What Is the Main Goal of Pediatric Dentistry?

The main goal of pediatric dentistry is to prevent and treat oral diseases while monitoring and influencing a child’s oral development. 

Pediatric dentists are trained in preventive care techniques, such as fluoride treatments and sealants, to help protect children’s teeth. 

Pediatric dentists also help protect children’s teeth by teaching them and their parents healthy habits that reduce their risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. 

Meanwhile, pediatric dentists monitor a child’s oral development and recommend techniques such as orthodontics if problems seem to be starting to arise.

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist

If you’re trying to decide whether to take your child to a general dentist or a pediatric dentist, consider these benefits that might make a pediatric dentist the right choice for your child. 

Training and Expertise

Pediatric dentists have at least two years of additional training dedicated to the challenges and potential of pediatric dentistry. They know what major milestones your child should meet when it comes to developing their teeth, gums, and bones. They also know the biggest difficulties your child might have in maintaining good oral health. 

In addition to their training, pediatric dentists will have much more experience dealing with children’s oral health. All the lessons they learned in pediatric dental school will be hammered home through practice, making them better able to help your child achieve and maintain good oral health. 

Child-Friendly Environment

Another skill pediatric dentists develop is how to establish a child-friendly environment. It’s easy for children to get scared at the dentist. Children are especially prone to this if you fear the dentist–they can pick up on your fears. A general dentist who doesn’t like treating children or doesn’t know how to treat children can make this worse. 

A pediatric dentist knows how to build rapport with children to help them start their dental care on the right foot. Making seeing the dentist regularly an enjoyable experience will help children make positive associations with the dentist, so they are unlikely to develop dental anxiety in the future.

Parental Guidance

Another skill that pediatric dentists cultivate is how to help parents watch out for their children. A pediatric dentist knows what your child needs to have healthy teeth. They can teach you what you need to know, including how to:

  • Care for your child’s first teeth
  • Establish healthy eating habits
  • Teach your child to take care of their teeth

In addition, they can provide an informed perspective on when to start interventions like orthodontics to help your child develop straight, healthy teeth. A pediatric dentist is the best source for answering questions about your child’s oral health.

Pediatric Dentistry FAQs

As soon as your child has a tooth, they should see a dentist. If their first tooth hasn’t appeared by their first birthday, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist for a check-up, just in case.

Clean your baby’s teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush, preferably designed for infants. Use it at least once a day at bedtime. 

You can practice with fluoride-free toothpaste at first. Start using a fluoride toothpaste as soon as a child can avoid swallowing it and spit effectively.

Baby teeth perform the same essential functions as adult teeth, including chewing and clear speech. Your child’s baby teeth help them develop proper speech and eating habits. In addition, these teeth help your child’s jaw develop so that adult teeth can emerge in the right places.

If your child is sucking their thumb or using a pacifier at a normal age, there is no concern about their impact on your child’s teeth. You should consider talking to a pediatric dentist about training your child to avoid these habits by age three.

A custom-fitted mouthguard is the best protection for your child’s teeth during sporting events. Remember that it’s not just contact sports with potential orofacial injuries. In any sport where your child and others play competitively, there’s a risk that your child could injure their teeth, making it an excellent idea to protect them.

In addition to following good oral hygiene practices, teach them to eat a healthy diet. Don’t have candy, sweets, or treats high in refined carbohydrates that are easily accessible. You don’t have to cut these out entirely, but keep your child from eating them constantly. Get your child in the habit of drinking water rather than soda. Fruit juice should also be an occasional treat–whole fruit is much healthier for their teeth.

Take Care of Your Child’s Teeth

When it comes to your child’s health, you want to make the best choices. Choosing a pediatric dentist for your child’s oral health can make a big difference. The benefits of a pediatric dentist aren’t just felt in childhood–they impact your child’s oral and overall health for life. 

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in Westchester County, NY, contact Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale today at (914) 725-7100 to set up an appointment for your child with pediatric dentist Dr. Adam Silevitch.