For those who have a growing family to find them the best dental care you can. Every part of your child’s development introduces new needs, including changes in their dental health. New parents in particular often wonder if it’s necessary to change providers or get a special pediatric dentist for their children. This decision can be difficult to make when the specifics of different types of dentists aren’t well understood. This article is being provided to help those struggling with the decision to make an educated choice.
Do You Need a Pediatric Dentist For Your Child?
One thing to keep in mind when choosing a dentist is that each of them has received the proper training to care for your entire family. The difference between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist is all about focus. General dentists don’t specialize in any particular stage of development, nor do they take additional training in caring for entire families. However, they are more than capable of providing excellent care in these cases.
Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, are specifically focused on developmental dentistry. They’re an excellent choice when particularly complicated cases occur. They are also good for parents who have a family history of significant dental problems. For the average family, however, this degree of specialization isn’t necessary for their dental care.
If you’re trying to decide between a general dental practitioner or a specialist, the following information may prove useful. Keep in mind that each specialty represents what stands at the core standard of their practice. All dentists want to provide the best possible dental care for their patients.
- Family Dentists: It would be fair to think of this as a general kind of specialist. Rather than focusing on a particular area of dentistry, they focus on treating all stages of life. From newborns to the elderly, they can provide dental care for entire families. They hold the distinction of being a lifetime dentist, able to provide care from birth onwards.
- Pediatric Dentists: Pediatric dentists are specialists in the area of developmental dentistry. Their area of focus is on the complications that can impact the development of healthy teeth. They also tend to have special training in handling pediatric patients with complex dental health concerns, dental anxiety, and developmental disabilities.
The choice to see a specialist over a generalist is, in the end, a personal one. One major benefit of seeing a general or family dentist is the ability to have all your dental care performed in one office. This makes scheduling easy and eliminates many concerns regarding insurance and transportation.
Speak With Your Dentist For Guidance Today!
Communicating with your dentist about your concerns is the best approach to determining if you need a dentist. They’ll understand the specifics of your oral health concerns and their own practice. As a result, they’ll be able to direct you to the best possible choice for your growing family, even if it isn’t them.
