See a Pediatric Dentist

Plenty of parents are unaware of the fact that their little ones should visit with a pediatric dentist. There is a common misconception that kids do not require as much dental care as adults. In some cases, parents assume kids can visit with a regular dentist as opposed to a pediatric dentist. Below, we explain why it is so important for kids to see a pediatric dentist.

What Does a Pediatric Dentist Do?

Pediatric dentists are dentists who specialize in children's dental health. Pediatric dentists have two more years of training than regular dentists. This extra two years of training covers the nuances of treating the teeth and gums of kids, tweens, and teens. Pediatric dentists also receive training to care for the teeth of kids with special needs. Meet with our pediatric dentist, Dr. Beanca Chu, DDS, and you will agree she understands the complexities of tooth development as well as child behavior and human physical development. In other words, pediatric dentists are experts when it comes to dealing with kids, especially in the challenging context of performing dental care.

How a Pediatric Dentist Can Help Your Kids

Pediatric dentists have the experience and skills necessary to provide every aspect of dental care and analysis for kids of all ages. Bring your child to our pediatric dentist and we will perform a comprehensive dental exam, preventative care, risk assessment, and more. Our dental team will treat your child's oral health problems, repair your child's dental injuries, and help in myriad other ways. In some cases, parents need help weaning their child off of the destructive habit of thumb sucking or excessive pacifier use. In other cases, the pediatric dentist's advice on diet and nutrition will prove invaluable for kids with a sweet tooth.

In terms of preventative care, we provide everything from fluoride treatments to cleanings and beyond. In some cases, kids develop gum disease or cavities. If your child has such oral health challenges, bring him or her to our office for truly in-depth care provided by our pediatric dentist. However, even if your child does not have a clear dental health problem, an analysis performed at our office will clue you into developing conditions ranging from asthma to diabetes, congenital heart defects, hay fever, and beyond. Oftentimes, dental issues are related to such overarching health conditions as listed above.

Why You Should Not Bring Your Child to a Regular Dentist

Though it might be more convenient to bring your child along to your dental appointment so the entire family can be treated in one fell swoop, it is a mistake to let a regular dentist treat your child's teeth and gums. There are countless reasons to rely on a pediatric dentist for your child's dental care. The vast majority of kids have at least slight dental anxiety. Think back to when you were a kid and had a dental visit approaching. You were likely nervous and possibly even hesitant to visit the office. Now imagine if your parents made the extra effort to coordinate oral health care and treatment with a pediatric dentist. If you were provided with such care, you would not have dreaded visiting with the dentist.

Though no child will be eager to visit with a pediatric dentist, our team goes out of its way to keep little ones happy and comfortable, making subsequent visits that much less daunting from the perspective of kids. Our pediatric dentist has seemingly endless patience, a passion for helping kids, and an in-depth understanding of what it takes to keep kids comfortable in the dental chair. Even our waiting room features niceties that appeal to little ones to help make the trip to the dentist that much more enjoyable.

Prevention, Early Detection, Treatment and Education

The sad truth is your child's tooth decay is nearly 100% preventable, yet decay is still the most common dental ailment suffered by kids. The pediatric dentist provides invaluable guidance and advice pertaining to dental care at home. The best part is our pediatric dentist has a passion for children so she will communicate oral health care strategies with language your little one can easily understand and remember. Furthermore, the pediatric dentist will also apply sealants and fluoride treatments to safeguard tooth enamel and reduce the chances of cavity formation.

Relying on a pediatric dentist is particularly important for early detection. The pediatric dentist uses computer modeling, x-rays, and examinations that facilitate predicting oral health problems likely to arise down the line. From bad bites (known as malocclusion) to jaw irregularities, attrition resulting from teeth grinding (referred to as bruxism), and beyond, the pediatric dentist knows exactly what to look for in your youngster's developing mouth. Do not wait until your child reaches the age of 6 or 7 to visit with the dentist; countless examples show the best dental health outcomes result from dental treatment that starts in the child's early years.

When to Start Pediatric Dental Care

In an ideal world, parents would bring their child to the dentist six months after the first tooth breaks through the gum line. This is the optimal time for the pediatric dentist to analyze the development of your child's oral health. Sadly, dental health problems often rear their ugly heads in the early years. Therefore, the earlier the first visit occurs, the better the chances are of exemplary oral health across posterity.

The dentist will either recommend or provide nuanced preventative care to guard against a wide array of dental problems that have the potential to compromise your child's oral health. From gum disease to teething irritations, extended thumb-sucking, and baby bottle tooth decay, our pediatric dentist is well aware of the many potential issues that can compromise your child's oral health in the years to come. We will provide a specialized solution for your child's unique oral health challenges that set the stage for proper tooth development and a beautiful smile throughout the aging process.

Dr. Beanca Chu, DDS – Children’s Dentistry

Are you searching for caring, experienced pediatric dentistry in the Huntington Beach, California area? If you have one or several kids, do not wait another day to schedule a dental appointment. Our dental professionals are here to ensure your kids have healthy teeth and gums from the get-go. Contact us today!