Pediatric dentistry is essential to help improve your child's smile. Here are a few things you should know about pediatric dentistry in Centreville VA.

1. Pediatric Dental Care Is Only for Children

Everyone should be going to see the dentist regularly, but not everyone goes to the same place. Anyone younger than the age of 18 will go to a pediatric dentist. There are professionals who get extra training and qualifications so they can work with children.

Not only will the offices be set up to be more child-friendly, but a pediatric professional will also know how to relate to your child in all the different stages that they go through. Your five-year-old will need different care than your 14-year-old, and a pediatric dentist will be able to help your child no matter how old they are. 

It can be hard, at times, to help your child care for their oral health. They are focused on other things and brushing their teeth at night may turn into a battle.



A dentist who specializes in working with children will be able to give you some tips and tricks to help your child. They are there to support you anywhere they can when it comes to dental care for your children. 

2. Establish Healthy Habits Early

It may surprise you that oral care starts before your child has teeth. While they will lose their baby teeth, keeping their gums healthy is key. Many dentists for children will tell you to use a soft cloth to wipe their gums every day to get rid of bacteria.



Taking care of your child's teeth will show them the importance of good hygiene and will help them establish good habits in the future. Children are impressionable and will pick up good habits easier if you teach them young.

3. Baby Teeth Are Important

Once your child has teeth, you need to take them to see a pediatric dentist. Taking care of their baby teeth will decrease the chances of tooth decay and disease in the future. 

Teeth play a large role in your child's development. Strong teeth are needed for eating a balanced diet, which every child needs. If you don't take care of their primary teeth and they get cavities and tooth decay, they may have difficulty eating.



Another reason for keeping baby teeth is they are needed for speech development. Knowing about pediatric dentistry in Centreville, VA will give you peace of mind. You won't have to worry if your child's teeth are coming in properly or causing issues while trying to form sounds and words. 

4. Sports Can Cause Dental Injuries

As your child gets older and enters school, they will likely want to participate in sports and play on the playground. Many children sustain injuries during sporting events including chipped teeth and cracked roots. 



It's crucial that this get fixed as soon as possible to ensure further damage isn't done. It's also important to take your child to a dentist before they start playing sports so they can get properly fitted for a mouth guard. This will help prevent damage to the teeth. 

5. Sealants Are Recommended

Many pediatric dentists recommend sealants for children. Sealants are a material that is placed on the molars and premolars to keep bacteria from getting into the grooves of your child's teeth. This will help reduce the risk of cavities and decay. 



Be sure to talk to your dentist about the procedure as it can be really beneficial. Every child is different and that's why it's important to talk to a professional. 

6. Pediatric Dentists Have Extensive Knowledge

Dentists who specialize in working with children have an array of knowledge about different procedures and how to treat children. Going to the dentist can be stressful for adults and it can be even scarier for children.

An experienced pediatric dentist will know how to ease your child's nerves and make them feel comfortable. Pediatric dentists can also perform a number of different procedures such as fillings, crowns, and regular cleanings. 



They may use conscious sedation if your child has a lot of anxiety or if the procedure is going to be painful. This will help them relax and ease their nerves. 

7. Affects Overall Health

You may not realize that your child's oral health can affect their self-esteem. You don't want your child to be worried about smiling because they have decaying or crooked teeth.

Pediatric dentistry can help with all kinds of dental work and teeth straightening processes. Bad breath is another area that a professional can help.



It's unfortunate, but many children with poor oral hygiene tend to be bullied by their peers. It's imperative that you encourage your child to take care of their teeth in order to help them feel confident and healthy. 

Pediatric Dentistry in Centreville, VA

Oral care for your child isn't something that you should wait to invest in. Now that you know more about pediatric dentistry in Centreville, VA, you can get your child set up with an appointment.



Contact us here if you're looking for a pediatric dentist for your child. We can help you teach your child good cleaning habits so they have healthy gums and teeth into adulthood.