Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses on care for infants, children, and teens. These specialists treat a wide variety of dental issues and are skilled in treatment for patients with special needs, helping to educate young patients about their smiles.
Early Visits with a Specialist
Children should see a dentist as young as one year of age or about six months after the primary teeth emerge. Keeping primary or baby teeth healthy until they shed naturally is vital to life-long oral health. These first set of teeth help children chew correctly, develop proper speech, and promote a strong smile for overall well-being.
The first dental appointment is an excellent opportunity for parents and children to learn how to protect their oral health.
Breaking Bad Oral Habits
It is important for parents to recognize unhealthy dental behaviors that may be present in children, such as:
Going to Bed with a Bottle – Severe tooth decay can occur when children go to sleep with a bottle filled with juice or milk. Sugars from the liquid stay on teeth for hours while the child is asleep, creating bacteria that eat away at tooth enamel.
Thumb Sucking – Children usually stop thumb or finger sucking between the ages of two to four years. If prolonged, this habit can produce unnecessary pressure on teeth and the jawbone, affecting dental alignment and bite function.
Chronic Mouth Breathing - While this is a lesser known concern, excessive mouth breathing in children can lead to an underdeveloped jaw and possibly cause obstructive sleep apnea later in life.
A pediatric dental specialist can spot the tell-tale signs of unhealthy oral habits and are experts at providing the right treatment for your child.
Customized, Age-Appropriate Pediatric Care
Dr. Rapisura is an experienced pediatric dentist whose excellent communication skills and patience go hand in hand when educating both children and parents on the importance of early dental health.
It is important to establish an oral hygiene routine with your child at an early age, even younger than you may think. For more information on how our pediatric dental specialist can help your family obtain healthy smiles, please call or visit our office today!