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Why a Pediatric Dentist?
It’s a good question. And, just as important, is “Well, why not a
pediatric dentist?”
After all, you care enough about your child’s health to visit a
pediatrician. Just as pediatricians are trained to meet a child's
medical needs, a pediatric dentist is specially trained to meet the
unique treatment needs of children.
A pediatric dentist knows how to put children at ease. Sure, it
helps to have a gentle touch and a special way with kids, but Dr.
Moore has also received specialized training that recognizes the
unique qualities of children and how to make them feel comfortable.
She is also trained and qualified to treat special needs
patients, such as children with autism, ADHD and Downs
Syndrome.
Children's dental care and adolescent dental care is different
than dental care for adults.
Children, pre-teens and teenagers all need different approaches
to guiding their dental health and oral-facial development. Our
job is to keep them healthy now — and help them avoid future
dental problems!
Why Are Baby Teeth So Important?
Why worry about your child’s primary (baby) teeth? After all,
they’re going to fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth
someday, right?
Truth is, your child's dentist knows that these teeth are important
for your child. Healthy primary teeth allow normal development of
the jaw bones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth
and guide them into place. And a child who can chew easily,
speak clearly and smile confidently is also a happier child.
Unfortunately, dental problems can begin early in life. For
instance, tooth decay is more common with children who have
frequent and prolonged breast milk feedings or who receive juice
in nighttime bottles. Older children can easily develop poor
brushing and flossing habits or prolonged and troublesome
thumb sucking. Early dental visits can help address and prevent
these and many more issues.
When Should My Child
First Visit the Dentist?
Dr. Moore, as well as The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
and the American Dental Association (ADA), recommend that
your child’s first "regular" dental visit be by his or her first birthday.
In fact, both the ADA and AAP recommend establishing a
"dental home" for your child by the time he or she is one year
old. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive
appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
The first visit to your child's dentist may just surprise you. It certainly
won’t be the experience you may remember from your
youth.
As you join your child for a first visit, you will learn together. We
will gently examine your child's teeth and gums. Depending on
the child’s age and oral health, X-rays may be taken in order to
reveal decay and check on the progress of your child's permanent
teeth. Most important, we will review with you how to clean
and care for your child's teeth at home.
As early as age two, we may clean your child's teeth and apply
topical fluoride to help protect the teeth, as well as the developing
permanent teeth against decay. We will assess whether your
child is receiving adequate fluoride in their drinking water. At
some point, we may recommend sealants to protect decay-prone
back teeth. Tooth sealant bonds into the grooves of the chewing
surface to help prevent the formation of cavities.
Finally, we teach your children good eating habits and home care
to take care of their teeth for a lifetime of good dental health.
What About Sterilization?
As a dental best practice, we use state-of-the-art sterilization procedures,
including a hospital-grade sterilizer. After each patient
visit, treatment areas are thoroughly disinfected. All non-disposable
instruments are ultrasonically cleaned and heat-sterilized. Of
course, Dr. Moore and her staff wear gloves and masks during all
procedures.
