Pediatric dentistry is an area of specialization in the field of dental medicine. Pediatric dentists focus in the dental health of children, starting from infants and toddlers through teenagers. Pediatric dentists have a thorough knowledge of the mouth structure and dental needs of children which are different from those of adult. They have received the same training as a conventional dentist, but have also learnt ways to make a child feel comfortable while visiting a dental clinic. In general kids are traumatized by the thought of visiting a dentist, to add to that if the dentist doesn’t know how to handle a child sympathetically, the child will experience huge trauma and will not visit the clinic for follow up treatments. If a child is not pacified and handled well he/she has the ability to stop the procedure in between and leave the clinic with an incomplete procedure. There have been several instances of kids hauling, crying and wanting to leave the dental clinic at the earliest. A Chicago pediatric dentist is the one who has learnt the skills to reduce this fear. This may include letting children see all of the equipment before the procedure starts, decorating the clinic in a child-friendly way, telling stories, offering toys and using soothing methods to keep an anxious child still.

Just like regular dentists Pediatric dentists attend four years of dental school. After that, they spend two years in residency, working with infants and children. They are taught to understand that it is hard for children to sit still long enough for dental work, and that a trip to the dentist for a child is a scary thing. Dentistry for children needs skill, specialization, sensitivity to deal with children’s emotional needs which is best offered by pediatric dentists. Chicago pediatric dentists are trained in management of child psychology, different communication styles which emphasize on making dental visits for kids enjoyable.

A pediatric dentist takes care of the oral health needs of children from birth through adolescence. You should consult a pediatric dentist regularly, to ensure that any dental problem gets detected and treated at an early stage. This can prevent any serious dental issues at a later stage and save your child from suffering from complicated procedures. In general all pediatric dentists are of the opinion that regular dental care should begin by the first year of the child, with dental checkups at least twice a year, for most children. Children with a history of dental problems will require more frequent visits to a pediatric dentist. In fact, child dental care should start right from the time an infant is born. It is imperative to clean an infant's mouth with gauze, after feedings and at bedtime. After consultation with a pediatric dentist children are also given fluoride supplements. A child’s first visit to the Pediatric Dentist should be made once the first tooth begins to appear. The right time for your child to start brushing will be advised by him /her. Taking good care of primary teeth is very important because they help the children to chew properly and also plays a role in speech development. Serious attention should be paid while selecting your child’s dentist. Watch your child's responses during a meeting with a dentist, and check to see that the dentist makes an endeavor to communicate with him/her.

Growing Smiles Chicago is a leading Pediatric dentistry in Chicago, IL which can help your child to form an early foundation for strong dental health. You can get detailed information on baby tooth decay, dental sealants, thumb sucking, advice on preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth of children, diet counseling and more. They also are expert in all aspects of the pediatric restorative techniques and modalities.

If your child is facing a dental problem, visit www.growingsmileschicago.com today and schedule your child's dental checkup!

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Kristin Elliott, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, is originally from Watseka, Illinois. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in three years before moving to Chicago. Dr. Kristin received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and started Growing Smiles pediatric dental clinic to help when your children are in need of medical emergencies.