WHY CHOOSE US? / WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST? / THE IMPORTANCE OF BABY TEETH?/ WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRIMARY TEETH?
WHY CHOOSE US?
At South Hills Pediatric Dentistry, we provide the best care possible for your little ones. We believe in the old adage, “An ounce of PREVENTION is worth a pound of cure.” As pediatric dentists, Dr. Sloan and Dr. Jacobsen’s goal is to establish lifelong habits that will lead to a lifetime of excellent oral health.
From the moment you enter our doors, you will be greeted with a welcoming smile. While many dental providers focus their attention on the parents, our team will lovingly focus on the needs, concerns, and unique aspects of your child’s dental appointment.
We offer a wide range of SEDATION TREATMENT OPTIONS, including nitrous oxide anxiolysis, oral sedation, IV sedation, and hospital dentistry under general anesthesia. These different delivery methods will ensure that we can treat every child comfortably and confidently, regardless of their unique situations.
Our team takes pride in being patient centered, and strives to create relationships of trust. Patients and parents are encouraged to be open with their concerns, questions, and fears. Dental anxiety often stems from “fear of the unknown,” so our staff is prepared to demonstrate each type of dental treatment in a non-threatening way while the patient is comfortably standing beside the dental chair.
All children one year of age and younger receive a free initial exam, which includes extensive education on cavity prevention, a diet review, oral habits, and pacifier use. Schedule an appointment for your child at our RIVERTON PEDIATRIC DENTAL CLINIC today!
WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST
Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist has completed two to three years of specialty training beyond dental school. He or she limits the practice to treating the oral health needs of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
Choosing a pediatric dentist to trust with the health and beauty of your child’s smile is an important decision. Making a positive first impression at the dentist can influence a child’s view of dentistry for the rest of their lives, so it’s important to make sure your child is comfortable with the doctor and staff.
At South Hills Dental Specialists, three qualities make our pediatric dentists stand out:
- Special Training: Pediatric dentists receive postdoctoral training in child psychology, behavior modification, and pharmacology. Pediatric dentists also undergo yearly training and re-certification to stay current with the most recent developments in technology and patient care.
- Education for Parent and Child: Pediatric dentists explain preventive care, hygiene, and treatments in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
- A Comfortable Environment: It’s very important for your child to feel comfortable in our office. It is our goal to create a safe place with a fun atmosphere for your son or daughter to enjoy.
Ideally, your child’s dental experience will be something to remember for the rest of their life. Make sure it will give them something to smile about.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BABY TEETH
Just because your little one’s primary teeth, often known as “baby teeth,” eventually fall out, that doesn’t mean they’re not important. Primary teeth play an essential role in your child’s overall health, development, and well-being.
Much like your own permanent teeth, your child’s primary teeth require professional and at-home dental care. Decay can happen at any age, so it’s time to visit the dentist within six months of your child’s first tooth appearance, and certainly by age one. In addition to checking for tooth decay and other pediatric dental problems, we will show you the best ways to start your child on a lifetime of good oral health habits.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRIMARY TEETH?
Most children have a full set of primary teeth by the time they’re three years old. Primary teeth are vital for many reasons. They:
- Promote good nutrition through proper chewing
- Assist in speech development
- Build self-esteem by providing a beautiful smile
- Enable the child to pay attention and learn in school without the distraction of dental pain
- Provide a path for permanent teeth to follow when they are ready to erupt
- What happens if baby teeth aren’t taken care of?
Primary teeth can get cavities, just like adult teeth. In addition to the pain caused by a cavity, young children can develop dental infections. Primary tooth decay is a serious, infectious, and transmissible disease that can spread quickly and lead to infection or abscess without proper precautions. This can be especially harmful to children because their immune systems aren’t fully developed.
If a tooth becomes infected and needs to be extracted, our office will recommend inserting a space maintainer. If the space is not preserved, other teeth may drift, which can cause difficult-to-treat crowding and orthodontic problems when the permanent teeth come in.
The most important aspect of taking care of your child’s primary teeth is the example you help to set. Early on, your child should develop the habit of brushing and flossing that will carry into adulthood. Healthy teeth also lead to easier dental visits, which teaches your child that there is nothing to be afraid of at the dentist.
