A conducted study revealed that a child is 84% more likely to suffer from dental carries than asthma, and the numbers rise to 88% when compared to hay fever meaning that children need proper dental care as they grow up. Medical practitioners in the field of children dentistry are known as pediatric dentists.

Pediatric dentists have to complete four years in a dental school, followed by two more years in a residency program that specializes in training dentists to handle children, teens, and infants. Some pedodontists will choose to specialize in kids who need special care like the autistic ones or those who have cerebral palsy or mental retardation.

What Pedodontists Do

A pedodontist has the qualifications and experience on how to treat oral diseases affecting children, and to also care for their gums, mouth, and teeth throughout their childhood. They also emphasize on proper care and maintenance of milk teeth, which holds the space for the permanent set, facilitate good speech production, and decent chewing habits.

For children, baby teeth take six months to appear,and at the age of 6 or 7, they begin to fall. If the kids do not get proper oral care, there is a possibility that they may face teeth decay and other diseases that may cause complications and pain in their lifetime.

Some other functions of kids’ dentist include:

• Monitoring growth – By tracking the growth of teeth and their development, they can predict dental problems and intervene before the condition worsens. This early corrective response will foster a positive self-image and preserve your child’s self-esteem.
• Education – Practitioners in this field educate children on the significance of maintaining healthy and strong teeth using child-friendly terminologies, computer technology, and models. Furthermore, they give parents advice on trauma prevention, disease prevention, and aspects necessary in the maintenance of an ideal oral hygiene routine.
• Intervention – In cases involving bruxism, or oral injury, kids’ dentists may suggest possible oral treatments available such as space maintainers, reconstructive surgery, or mouth guards.
• Prevention – Children’s dentistry helps both the children and parents establish good oral habits and healthy eating, thus reducing the risk of developing tooth decay. Kane Dental Care is a facility that offers dental services to children. We have pediatric dentists in Hempstead Station who are certified and with years of experience.

Choosing the Right Pedodontist for Your Child

As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure your child receives proper oral care. Unlike adult’s teeth, children’s teeth are weaker and prone to fractures and cavities, and this is why you should take them to a dentist at least once in every six months.

If a kid gets to experience tooth pains before ever setting a foot into a dentist’s office, it will be difficult for him/her to trust and allow a foreigner (the dentist) to have a look at his/her teeth. Here is a list of some few points you should remember when choosing one for your kids:

1. Location–If you have an autistic child, this is a factor you should consider. Choose a suitable place near home. Long distances are anxiety triggers for such persons and can cause temper tantrums.
2. Certification and qualification –Please note that a kid’s dentist must have completed the required four-year course from a certified institution.
3. A valid license –The license permits one to practice and is usually given and approved by the appropriate board. Most practitioners display their licenses and certifications at the reception of a clinic. If you visit a clinic and find out they haven’t shown theirs, ask them about it without hesitation.
4. How well is the clinic equipped? –A facility that is not well equipped is a red flag that tells you to reconsider your options. For instance, materials such as intubation, oxygen tank, papoose board, and a pulse oximeter are required when sedating a kid with ASD.

His/her skills in behavior management–Kids who have ASD are known to have disrupted social and communication skills. If your child is one of them, you’ll need to find one who has excellent skills in behavior management.