Pediatric Dentist in Mesquite, TX

A pediatric dentist is a dentist who has completed one to two years of additional studies and training over and above their dental school education. They specialize in the oral health care and needs of children and youth and are trained to deal with children who may have disabilities or special needs, or kids who just need gentler care. Typically, a patient’s current dentist or their family doctor will refer them to a pediatric dentist if they feel it is the right care choice for the child. Additionally, pediatric dentists will receive training on orthodontics as a method of straightening teeth for young adults to enable the child to stay with the same dentist for additional treatments as they get older.

A pediatric dentist and dental practice will provide the same dental care and services as a family or general dentist but with a focus on the specific needs of children. They have received additional training on treating patients with special needs, and disabilities, and who need a gentler touch for their oral health care. Pediatric dentists will perform checkups and exams on their patients’ teeth, gums, and mouth, as well as provide regular cleaning and polishing treatments and x-rays to monitor for cavities and other potential issues. They can fill cavities found through x-rays and checkups, apply sealants to prevent future cavities in potential trouble spots, and even provide orthodontic treatments to older patients should they require it. Pediatric dentists are also able to perform extractions if needed for any number of reasons.

Children can and should first visit the dentist as soon as their teeth start poking through, usually by the age of one year. However, some children might not yet be ready for the dentist at that point, so it is key to take your cues from your child to gauge their readiness. Regular and proper dental care is important to start at a young age to develop healthy oral health habits that kids can take with them as they age and as they grow into adults. Healthy habits started at a young age become second nature and part of the daily routine, making them easier to maintain throughout life. By starting at an early age, pediatric dentists are also able to monitor for any issues that may come up as a child gets older and their baby teeth get replaced by larger adult teeth. This can include monitoring for impacted teeth, ensuring teeth are growing and popping through the gums properly, checking for cavities, flagging any potential areas where cavities can form and treating them with sealants, as well as recommending and providing preventative treatments to avoid future, more elaborate procedures. The dentist will recommend the best appointment cadence for the child to visit for regular checkups, cleanings, and X-rays, based on their individual needs.

Yes, Love 2 Smile Dental provides pediatric dentistry in their current practice. As a family-focused practice, they understand the importance of good oral health in your youngest family members. Their team of compassionate, dedicated pediatric dentists is trained and experienced in understanding the unique needs of children and young adults, both in the care of their teeth, gums, and general oral health and also in making kids feel comfortable in what can be a frightening environment and experience for young children. They are able to anticipate and comfortably handle a child’s potential anxiety and nervousness at the dentist’s office and make them feel at ease. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s first visit to the dentist, feel free to give us a call to talk through what to expect at your child’s first dentist visit and we can answer any questions you have about our pediatric dental services. We serve patients from Mesquite TX, Dallas TX, Sunnyvale TX, Forney TX, Balch Springs TX, Garland TX, Rowlett TX, and BEYOND.