Did you know that some dental clinics do not treat children? Child-specific dentistry (called pediatric dentistry) is a separate field, so dentists need to receive additional training. Pediatric dentists understand not only how to best care for young mouths, but also how to interact with their youngest patients.
Choosing a pediatric-friendly dental office in Mississauga is the optimal choice for your child’s long-term oral health. They will receive the best possible care in an environment that feels welcoming and cozy. This helps ensure that your child (and you) have a positive experience every time you visit Bristol Dental Clinic.
1. The dentists have the right training and knowledge
Additional, Specialized Education
In order for a dentist to specialize in pediatric dentistry, they must undergo 2–3 years of additional residency training after graduating from dental school and passing their dental certification exams. During their residency program, the dentist learns everything there is to know about developing mouths and how to provide the best oral care for children.
The program focuses exclusively on the oral health of infants, children, teenagers, and young adults. It teaches dentists about child development, behaviour management, and establishing a comfortable environment that ensures their littlest patients have positive experiences.
They learn about child-specific dental health challenges (and how to prevent, diagnose, and treat them), as well as child-specific communication skills. This includes using age-appropriate language to explain procedures and keep the child calm.
Expertise in Child Development
Your child’s mouth is going to change a lot between the ages of zero and eighteen. Baby teeth will emerge and then fall out, making room for their permanent, adult teeth; their jawbones will grow, and their bite may even change. There are many opportunities for something to go wrong. Fortunately, our pediatric-friendly dentists in Mississauga are experts in childhood oral development, so they know what to look for.
One of the chief responsibilities of pediatric and family dentists is to monitor the development of your child’s mouth. They make sure that everything is developing correctly and on schedule, and they use their in-depth knowledge of child development milestones to do so. This includes keeping an eye on your child’s teething patterns, jaw bone growth, oral habits, and any developmental anomalies.
Since pediatric dentists are well-versed in the stages of oral development, they can identify potential problems faster and provide highly effective intervention.
Awareness of Childhood Habits
Pediatric dentists are better prepared to detect development problems early. However, they’re also trained to watch for bad oral habits, like thumb-sucking or teeth-grinding.
These habits can lead to dental health conditions if left unaddressed. For example, thumb-sucking is often associated with bite problems such as crossbites and overjets.
Allowing your baby to sleep with a bottle is another bad habit with poor oral health outcomes. Doing so can result in early childhood tooth decay. A knowledgeable dentist in Mississauga can provide advice and support to address these habits.
2. Children are more comfortable in kid-friendly environments
A dental office can be a scary place for patients of all ages! However, when clinics are not designed with children in mind, they become extra scary for our smallest patients. Children are, after all, much more prone to nervousness when visiting the dentist. The whole experience is newer to them, making it more overwhelming.
We want children to feel comfortable and at ease whenever they visit our dental office in Mississauga. This creates a positive foundation for the rest of their appointment. Ideally, we want them to look forward to their visits with us. That way, they’re more likely to stick to a consistent appointment schedule into adulthood.
A child-friendly dental clinic in Mississauga is designed to help children relax and keep them happily occupied as you wait for your appointment. The waiting rooms are stocked with toys, games, and colourful decor.
3. Both the dentists and staff understand how to interact with children
Toys and colourful decorations are hugely useful at helping children feel at ease. Nonetheless, the staff also have a crucial role to play. All it takes is one grumpy adult for the office to, once again, become a scary place. Therefore, it’s essential for staff to display a disposition that’s every bit as sunny as the decor.
At a pediatric-friendly clinic in Mississauga, every member of the dental team takes extra steps to ensure children have a positive dental experience. They are warm, welcoming, and full of smiles, especially towards young and nervous patients. Remember, we see and treat children every day, so we know exactly what to say and how to act.
Our pediatric-friendly dentists in Mississauga are trained in effective communication strategies for talking with children. They explain procedures in a child-friendly manner, which involves the child in their oral health and helps them understand what is going on. Simply knowing what’s going on and what to expect can help alleviate any nervousness.
4. Every appointment is an educational opportunity (for kids and parents)
Children need to be taught how to best care for their teeth and gums. Furthermore, they need to understand the importance of proper oral care and long-term oral health.
Parents and pediatric dentists both have an important role to play as educators, teaching children the details of preventing oral health concerns through good oral hygiene. Although parents need to carry the brunt of this education at home, every dental visit is a great opportunity for furthering their oral health knowledge.
Pediatric-friendly dentists use these appointments to show children (and parents) how to brush and floss effectively. They also answer any questions that you, the parent, may have.
We highly encourage you to use this time to ask your dentist in Mississauga for recommendations and advice on everything from proper oral hygiene to nutrition and preventative dental care that’s specific to your child’s age and development.
5. Early intervention of developing oral health issues
Early intervention is crucial when it comes to oral health issues. Simply put, it’s much easier, faster, and cheaper to treat minor issues than big, complex problems. Child mouths are still developing, so prompt course-corrections are highly effective.
Pediatric dentists are trained to identify early signs of a wide range of oral health problems, including orthodontic issues. When they detect early signs of crowded teeth or a bite problem, they can provide timely intervention to guide proper jaw growth and alignment.
However, neglecting these issues can lead to significant complications and more extensive treatment. For instance, severe bite problems sometimes require surgery.
Bristol Dental Clinic: A Pediatric and Family Dental Clinic in Mississauga
Bristol Dental Clinic is a pediatric-friendly, family dental office in Mississauga. We cater to all ages and especially love treating small children. Every member of our dental team strives to help our smallest patients feel happy and comfortable when they visit our clinic. We take immense pride in caring for the oral health of your entire family.
To book an appointment at our dental office in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
