Pediatric Dentistry in Fort Myers, Florida

In short, pediatric dentists lay the groundwork to ensure that your child has a good relationship with dental care. If your child has a bad experience, it's so hard to reset that first impression. Thankfully, a toddler dentist can ensure that your child enjoys going to the dentist, which will encourage going to the dentist into adulthood.

The good news is that you don't have to look hard to find a great pediatric dentistry office in Fort Myers. We pride ourselves on offering an environment where children's love for oral care can blossom. Our goal is to ensure that your child believes that going to the dentist is a positive experience.

What Is Children's Pediatric Dentistry?

It's pretty simple, really. Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry for children. With this type of dentistry, pediatric dental specialists provide dental care to kids of all ages. In general, children will see these specialists from birth and throughout their adolescent years. Once they are old enough, they'll start seeing a traditional dentist.

One cool fact about pediatric dental specialists is that they typically go to school longer than traditional dentists, two to three years longer. During this extra time in school, they learn how to safely provide emergency dental surgery for kids. A good pediatric oral surgeon can deal with even the most severe dental problems that might pop up.

The Importance of Children's Pediatric Dentistry

It can't be said enough that getting your kid involved in their oral care is important. In fact, getting started early can help your child build up a positive association with the dentist. That's why pediatric dentistry is so important. A good dentist for children can turn oral hygiene into something that kids care about.

On that same note, visiting a dentist early can help detect problems with your child's teeth and gums early. The earlier that these problems are found, the easier that it is to deal with them. Thus, visiting a pediatric dentist is good for preventing future dental problems. Additionally, children’s dentists can provide tips on how to properly brush and floss.

When Is a Good Time for Your Child to Start Visiting a Pediatric Dentist?

It's easy for parents to put off taking their kids to the dentist. After all, parents tend to assume that there can't be too much wrong with their kids' teeth when they're still so young. Some parents even avoid taking their children because they fear the cost of pediatric dental visit. However, putting off the cost of dental care is doing much more harm than good.

Generally, you should schedule your child's first dental appointment between the ages of one and two years. You shouldn't wait until your child is two before making that first dental appointment, though. If your child is afraid of going to the dentist, you can reward him or her with a treat after that first appointment is over. Even at a young age, this type of positive reinforcement can really help your child learn to like visiting the dentist.

What Happens During a Child's Very First Dental Visit?

There's a lot to get done during your child's first dental visit. Beyond a basic pediatric periodontics assessment, your child's dentist will do a dental cleaning for kids. Your dentist will also come up with a dental treatment plan. This plan will lay the groundwork for what the dentist will want to do during future visits.

The great thing about getting a dental cleaning for your child is that it will remove plaque from the teeth and bacteria from the gums. During the cleaning, your dentist will look for any early signs of gum disease and tooth decay. Getting a head start on these issues can help your child later on in life.

Keep in mind that this first visit is a great time for you to ask your child's dentist any important questions you have. For example, if your child struggles with thumb-sucking, you can talk to the dentist about the issues that this habit could cause. You can also ask the dentist for tips on how to ease your child's pain during the teething phase.

Pediatric Dental Anesthesia

Our pediatric dental specialists are trained in a wide variety of methods that help children feel relaxed during dental procedures. While some children with an intense fear of the dentists may react well to laughing gas, some children require more intensive sedation. We offer a variety of safe and effective sedation options at our office, including general anesthesia for child and toddler dental work. Each child is different, so the method of sedation will be determined by the child’s age and specific needs.

Hospital Dental Care with General Anesthesia

Sometimes, intensive dental work must be completed at a hospital to ensure your child’s comfort and safety. When dental work is completed at the hospital, your child will be placed under anesthesia and monitored by an anesthesiologist. Our dentists have experience treating patients with special challenges, including developmental disabilities, chronic medical problems, and other situations. We work closely with pediatricians, oral surgeons, and anesthesiologists to ensure the best possible outcome for your child.

Locating the Best Kid’s Dentists in Fort Myers

You want to get the most out of your child's visit to the dentist, which is why it's so important to find a dentist in Fort Myers that you can trust. That's where we come into play. We want to ensure that your child has a pleasant experience during every dental visit. We can provide all the dental care that your kid needs.

Schedule your child's dental appointment today. Reach out to our staff members for answers to any questions that you may have.