WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST IN SOUTH PORTLAND & AUBURN?
Proven Excellence in Caring for Growing Smiles
When choosing to see a pediatric dentist in either Auburn or South Portland, you will find that the attention remains solely on your child – nothing else. These professionals possess years of dedicated experience and training in treating young smiles, ensuring they receive the preventive and restorative care needed as they grow older. Unlike a general dentist who offers services to both children and adults, pediatric dentists focus their efforts on safeguarding smiles as they transition through each stage until reaching adulthood.
How Is a Pediatric Dentist Different From a General Dentist?
General dentists will either treat both children and adults or only the latter. These individuals complete four years of dental school, obtaining a DDS or DMD before beginning to practice. However, pediatric dentistry is recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a specialization individuals can pursue once they’ve graduated from dental school. Typically, it takes another three years of education to become a pediatric dentist. These individuals possess the knowledge, experience, and training to treat common oral health problems in growing smiles.
What Are the Benefits of Taking My Child to a Pediatric Dentist?
Selecting a pediatric dentist for your child has many great benefits, including:
- A dentist who is focused solely on your child’s smile.
- Kid-friendly amenities and services available.
- A dentist is more likely to be gentler and provide more comfortable solutions.
- A professional who will help establish good oral hygiene habits early on.
- A clear focus on prevention and early detection of potential cavities and bite issues.
What Ages Do Pediatric Dentists Treat?
Ultimately, it depends on the pediatric dentist, as many will only begin offering treatment once a child reaches the age of 3 or 4. Most, however, tend to offer care to children between the ages of 1 and 17. This allows for effective treatment the moment a child’s first tooth erupts.
Dentistry for Infants
Although many months go by before your baby welcomes their first tooth, it is generally recommended that we do not see them until their first baby tooth erupts or before they reach the age of one – whichever comes first. Here, we can introduce your little one to our dental office and establish a positive relationship from the start. We can also answer any of your questions and provide tips to ensure a healthier smile in between appointments.
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Dentistry for Toddlers
Toddlers are not only growing quickly, but they’re moving just as fast, which can mean accidental falls. It can also mean a much more challenging oral hygiene routine because of their wiggly bodies. With our help, though, we can ensure the health of their teeth and gums during regular appointments as well as offer innovative ways to make brushing (and flossing) fun for everyone at home.
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Dentistry for Children
As your child grows up and enters school, paying close attention to their smile is even more important. The reason is that unhealthy eating habits can form, and their desire to play can often interfere with their ability to maintain good oral hygiene. During this time, we can offer tips when it comes to healthy foods as well as effective (and safe) preventive services we can provide to keep young pearly whites from developing decay, cavities, or even gum disease.
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Dentistry for Teens
Teenagers these days care deeply about their appearance. With social media at their fingertips and the ability to immediately share virtually anything, having healthy and beautiful teeth and gums is important for their self-esteem. Our team at Maine Pediatric Dentistry is here to guide them through high school as they prepare to take a more independent approach to their oral healthcare needs. We’ll also make sure to address any bite or smile problems as quickly as possible.
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Special Needs Children
Children who have special needs often suffer from more serious oral health problems (i.e., missing teeth, bite misalignment, decayed teeth, etc.). As a result, dentists need to be able to provide special accommodations to ensure these children’s teeth are not neglected but instead properly cared for. This is why we offer dentistry for children with special needs. No matter the issue, we will be sure to provide the level of care they need to enjoy visiting the dentist year after year.