WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST? Hinsdale and DOWNERS GROVE
We Specialize in Treating Growing Smiles
Pediatric dentists dedicate their careers to treating children as young as infants, all the way up until 18 years old. Why this age range? These are the prime years of oral and jaw development, meaning during this time, teeth will erupt, fall out, and permanent ones will grow in, and your child’s jawbone will also be growing. Our pediatric dentists in Hinsdale and Downers Grove are specially trained to keep an eye out for the most common concerns related to oral development, ensuring that your favorite smile in the world has the best chance of staying healthy and happy!
How is a Pediatric Dentist Different From a General Dentist?
The primary difference between general and pediatric dentists is their experience and education. General dentists, also commonly referred to as family dentists, have completed the baseline education to practice dentistry, meaning they have finished a traditional four-year DDS or DMD degree.
Pediatric dentists take their training one step further by completing dental school in addition to a two-year pediatric dentistry residency program. During these programs, they’re fully immersed in clinical settings surrounded by other experts who specialize in treating growing smiles. As a result, they bring an additional layer of knowledge and understanding to your child’s care.
What are the Benefits of Taking My Child to a Pediatric Dentist?
There are countless advantages to bringing your child to a pediatric dentist versus a family or general dentist, including:
- Early and preventive intervention for common dental concerns.
- Educational and highly informative visits for parents as well as children.
- Proper monitoring of oral growth and jaw development.
- Less risk of dental phobia, as pediatric dentists are excellent at establishing positive dental experiences early on.
- Fun, kid-centered dental visits that are memorable and exciting.
What Ages Do Pediatric Dentists Treat?
Pediatric dentists see children throughout every developmental stage of their youth, from infancy to 18 years old. They offer specialty services that help them maintain healthy smiles as well as quality education to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to prevent serious oral health issues later in life.
Dentistry for Infants
Two very common questions parents have are, “When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?” and, “What will their first visit be like?” Even the smallest babies can experience dental problems, so it’s important to start getting them the proper care early on. By giving them a dental home at an early age, you’ll help them establish a positive connection to taking care of their teeth, which will keep their smile healthy throughout their entire life.
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Dentistry for Toddlers
As your infant inches into toddlerhood, you’ll likely notice that more of their teeth begin erupting. These are exciting changes, but they can also be scary if parents aren’t sure what to expect! Our team will help educate you on healthy ways to relieve teething discomfort as well as how to begin implementing good dental habits into their life.
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Dentistry for Children
The average age that temporary teeth fall out is between five and six years old, although some children can lose their first teeth as early as four! Our team will closely monitor their smile to make sure their permanent teeth are free to erupt through the gumline once their baby ones fall out. We’ll also work closely with them to encourage them to develop a healthy home dental hygiene routine.
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Dentistry for Teens
Although your teen will have all of their permanent teeth, they can still benefit from seeing a pediatric dentist, as their jawbone and smile isn’t quite done developing. We’ll set them up for oral health success by screening them for orthodontic issues and keeping an eye on their wisdom teeth.
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Children with Special Needs
Children with developmental or physical disabilities can require accommodations to ensure they have just as great of an experience as a child without special needs. At Brush Pediatric Dentistry, our entire team is trained to accommodate these special patients and we go to great lengths to adapt to what makes them most comfortable in the dental environment. We can even provide sedation for those patients who may feel nervous or have trouble tolerating their visits. Simply give us a call, and we’ll be more than happy to discuss your child's needs and make arrangements that give us our best chance of success!