At Creekside Dentistry, we start seeing children at around age 3-4. Pediatric dentistry is a crucial part of making sure your child knows the importance of good oral health at a young age. Dr. Karl Neuhaus, a dentist in Amherst, NY, discusses the importance of pediatric dentistry and why your children should be seeing a dentist regularly.

Your Child’s First Visit

At your child’s first dental visit, we make sure we do a full analysis of their oral health. We screen for dental cavities and gum disease, do diagnostic x-rays, and examine their jawbone and the way it’s placed. We’ll also do a full dental cleaning and a fluoride treatment to help keep their dental enamel strong.

Other Pediatric Dental Services

Pediatric dentistry contains a wide range of services that are especially important for children and adolescents. Dental sealants, for instance, are a biocompatible plastic that’s applied to teeth to help prevent tooth decay. They offer long-lasting protection and are perfect for children and adolescents, as they’re prone to cavities.

We also offer sports mouth guards that give active kids and teens protection from contact sports. These mouthguards are personally fitted and comfortable enough for them to be able to talk with their teammates and focus on playing.

For older adolescents and teens, we offer wisdom teeth removal right in our office. Wisdom teeth normally erupt in the late teens or early twenties. Invisible braces are available to help straighten out crooked teeth as the adult teeth come in.

The Importance of Pediatric Dentistry

First, you want to make sure your child knows how important their oral health is from a young age. Getting them into a regular dental routine early helps with this. It’ll be a good habit they’ll have, making sure they have their bi-annual cleanings and checkups. Pediatric dentists can also teach children correct methods of brushing and flossing to make sure they’re getting the most benefit out of it.

Pediatric dentistry can also help with future dental anxiety. Having a fear of the dentist is a problem that many patients suffer from. However, if they’re already used to going to the dentist and know there’s nothing to be afraid of, they won’t struggle with this fear in the future. This makes them more likely to go to the dentist regularly, and especially when they’re having any dental problems that need attention.

Lastly, pediatric dentists aim to make dentistry as fun as possible for kids. They’re trained to deal with children and adolescents to make their experience a good one. Parents can sit in with their children to reassure them and let them know it’s okay. Kids can also watch their parents get their own dental work done so they know that they can do it too!

Your Dentist in Amherst, New York

We strive to provide the best pediatric care for our youngest patients. Call us or schedule an appointment online!