Pediatric Dentist In Anoka, MN
Caring For Little Smiles Right From The Start
Your child’s dental health is a vital part of their overall well-being and should not be overlooked, even though they will eventually lose their baby teeth. Ignoring their dental needs can lead to serious problems, particularly since dental decay is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting children under 12 in the United States. Trust Anoka Dental’s pediatric dentist for the best possible care for your child’s dental needs.
Little Teeth, Big Needs: Why Pediatric Dentistry is Essential for Your Child's Oral Health
When it comes to your child’s dental needs, it is best if you start sooner rather than later. Here are some reasons why visiting a pediatric dentist from an early age is important for your child.
Different Dental Needs
Not only is your child’s teeth structure different from yours, but they also have different dental requirements. A pediatric dentist is better equipped to care for your child’s primary teeth and oral cavity than a general dentist.
Providing Preventative Expertise
It is common for parents to ignore their child’s dental health during the first few years. This is because most parents believe that primary teeth do not need attention. It is vital to understand that milk teeth require just as much care and consideration as permanent teeth.
Your milk teeth help in developing proper chewing function and speaking abilities. Ignoring their dental health and needs can lead to future problems.
Imbibing Good Oral Hygiene Habits
While it is important to assist your child at home in following good oral hygiene, visiting a pediatric dentist will take you a level up. Our kid’s dentist can inform about all the latest oral hygiene techniques and the best way to take care of your child’s teeth.
Alleviate Dental Anxiety
Starting your child’s dental visits early on can help eliminate anxiety and stress that might make an appearance upon seeing the dentist. Early visits help build a solid foundation for a great relationship between the child and their dentist.
Benefits of Visiting Pediatric Dentists at an Early Age
Parents are faced with numerous decisions they need to make about their child’s health, life, and so many other things. The list does seem endless. From finding the best food for your kids to deciding which school will be great for them, you have to decide it all.
Deciding which health experts they should visit from an early age is one such decision. Anoka Dental is here to tell you about the benefits of visiting a pediatric dentist early on.
- Pediatric dentists create an inviting atmosphere for your child to ensure they feel comfortable and at ease.
- Dentists specializing in child care can understand the emotional anxiety and stress your kid might feel upon the visit.
- There are so many issues that can make an appearance early on when it comes to a child’s dental needs. A dentist specializing in child care will be aware of your child’s unique developmental stage and administer treatment accordingly.
- Taking your child for dental visits from the offset ensures their primary teeth are healthy. As a result, their permanent teeth will come out healthy, too.
- Regular monitoring of your child’s oral health can help ensure that they do not face issues such as crooked teeth, overcrowding, or overbites, as these problems can be caught in time.
- Preemptive care that a pediatric dentist provides can help prevent gum diseases and tooth decay.
Age Milestones Your Kid Should Cross with a Dental Check-Up
According to the American Dental Association, your child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when they experience their first tooth eruption. This will probably be when your child is around six to eight months. The initial visit to a pediatric dentist should not be delayed more than the first year.
Here are the age milestones your kid should cross with a dental check-up.
Age 1 – Taking your child to a pediatric dentist at the age of one will help establish a foundation for dental care. This initial visit can help in addressing certain specific areas of your child’s oral health, such as –
- An assessment of the first tooth.
- Teething issues.
- Jawline and gum development.
- Managing oral habits like thumb sucking.
- Tips on how to care for your infant’s oral health.
Age 4 – After that first visit to see a pediatric dentist, you would not need to schedule a visit for the next three years unless there are signs of severe tooth decay. Children around the age of four develop their main speaking and chewing abilities. This is the best time to correct any issues related to your child’s oral cavity.
Age 7 – The American Association of Orthodontics advises parents that age seven is the perfect time to facilitate the seamless transition of baby dental visits to true pediatric dentist visits. Your child understands things around them better at that age. This is also the age when your child will have a mix of primary and permanent teeth. It is the ideal time to detect any orthodontic issues that may be arising and address them accordingly.
What to Expect in Your Kid’s First Appointment
Prevention is better than cure, and this adage has never been truer than when it comes to your child’s dental care. Scheduling your child’s first visit to a kid’s dentist can be nerve-wracking for you and your child. But there is no reason to stress.
Here is what you can expect from your kid’s first appointment at a pediatric dentist.
- The first appointment is short, and most of the time is spent talking to the parents to get an idea about the child.
- The dentist will perform a comprehensive exam of your child’s oral cavity to check the growth of gums, teeth, jaws, and the surrounding soft tissue.
- It would help if you were prepared to answer any questions the dentist may have regarding your child’s medical conditions, thumb-sucking or pacifier habits, teething, and diet and feeding routine.
- The dentist will end the appointment by performing teeth cleaning and polishing routine to remove any plaque buildup or tartar.
Pediatric Dental Services: Keeping Your Child's Smile Healthy and Bright
Pediatric dentistry services differ from those that a general dentist provides. A kids’ dentist spends years training to cater to a child’s dental needs and requirements.
A pediatric dentist offers corrective, preventative, and diagnostic treatments for your child that may include but are not confined to:
- Dental sealant application and fluoride treatments to help prevent cavities. This is especially helpful for kids prone to tooth decay or if oral cavity problems run in the family.
- Comprehensive examinations of the soft and hard tissues surrounding the teeth to detect potential dental issues.
- Using orthodontic appliances to detect any misalignment and malocclusion. Kid’s dentists are especially skilled at detecting any tooth alignment problems that can occur during the transition from primary to permanent teeth.
- Tooth extractions, root canal treatments, and cavity restorations.
- Providing one-on-one counseling to kids about looking after their nutritional behavior and dietary needs to ensure the right growth and development in the oral cavity.
Anoka Dental - Where Every Day is Tooth-errific for Your Child!
Choosing a dentist for your child is a big decision. When you choose Anoka Dental, you can be assured of complete transparency and expert treatments regarding your child’s dental care needs.
Being a top-rated clinic for the last thirty-five years has given us the experience necessary to help your child feel at ease while providing expert care. Our dental team efficiently communicates and makes your little ones feel welcome at our lovely clinic.
Our dentists, Dr. Rich Capp and Dr. Lee DeKrey, are highly specialized in family dentistry and skilled at being pediatric dentists. They provide all treatments that your tiny tots need to keep their oral cavities healthy and strong as they grow up.
You can visit Anoka Dental at 12 Bridge Square, #106, Anoka, MN 55303. Please request an appointment by calling us at (763) 421-4002 or contacting us via our website.
Anoka Dental – Choose only the best for your child.
