PEDIATRICS

Going to the dentist carries the unfortunate stereotype of being a horrifying experience for most children, and even some adults! For a handful of fully-grown people, hearing the word “drill” while sitting in the dentist chair is more traumatizing than the actual discomfort of getting their teeth drilled. As a response to the dentist chair anxieties, child psychology has become a heavy component of pediatric dentistry, which focuses on the oral health and hygiene of children from infancy through adolescence. Adopting child psychology into dental practices has changed the overall experience of pediatric dentistry to help alleviate any potential phobias from occurring and facilitate a fun and friendly environment for visiting youngsters. 

It is important for every minor to visit their pediatric dentist at least twice per year so they can get the monitoring, education, familiarity, and intervention they may need. An infant’s first visit should be when their first tooth is visible but no later than their first birthday. Pediatric dentists are experts in working with kids to predict and correct future oral problems like jaw irregularities, grinding of teeth, and even over or underbites. Whether it is in-house or referred out, orthodontics may be required for early mediation and choosing to wait on treatment can lead to further complications and a more complex regimen. Other problems like oral decay and disease can turn into a lifetime of painful dental obstacles but can be avoided by understanding the importance of daily oral hygiene at an early age. 

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