Pediatric dentistry is a pediatric dental specialty that deals with diagnosing, preventing, and treating children’s diseases, disorders, and conditions. Pediatric dentists are pediatricians who have also completed advanced training in pediatric oral health. Many factors can lead your child to develop tooth decay, including sugary foods, medications like antibiotics or pain relievers for teething babies, saliva that contains acids from eating lots of sugar, or other processed food. Learn more here.

You must bring your child in for a dental check-up as soon as their first tooth erupts. This will help the pediatric dentist to get an idea of your child’s oral health and start developing a plan to keep their teeth healthy for a lifetime. Some common treatments pediatric dentists may recommend include: fluoride varnish, sealants, diet counseling, and regular checkups. Fluoride varnish is applied to the teeth by the pediatric dentist in a simple five-minute procedure and helps to remineralize the enamel and prevent decay. Sealants are also applied by the pediatric dentist and are plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of back molars where most cavities occur. They act as a barrier to prevent food and plaque from lodging in the pits and fissures of the teeth. Pediatric dentists often provide diet counseling, who discuss nutrition with parents to help their children maintain healthy eating habits. A pediatric dentist may recommend regular checkups every six months for children under three and once a year after age three. Learn more about The Right Pediatric Dentist for You in North Richland Hills, TX.