How do I choose a pediatric dentist?

As a parent, finding the perfect pediatric dentist for your child can sometimes be the last thing on your mind. You’re dealing with a constant stream of diapers, regular doctor visits, getting these miniature humans to eat a balanced meal, and navigating those chaotic mood swings. But getting your child on a good routine with a pediatric dentist can set them up for success when it comes to their oral health.

But how do you choose the right dentist for your child? With so many options, this can be a daunting task. What are things to consider in your list of “must-haves?”

Not all are the same!

All dentists are highly trained in taking care of adult teeth. Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, go to school for an extra two to three years to specialize in dental care for children. This gives them the knowledge they need to truly help your child adjust to the dentist. Not only that, but they also know how to help you, the parent, help your child.

Reviews + Consult

It’s a common practice to browse the reviews of a business before making a decision. When choosing the perfect dentist for your child, this is a good place to start! Once you have one in mind, call them up and see if you can come in for a consultation. Write down any questions you can come up with, and when the date of the consult arrives, don’t be afraid to ask them! Trust us, we’ve heard it all!

Special Needs?

Some dentists specialize in taking care of children with different medical conditions. If your child has special needs of any kind, this is a good thing to bring up to the dentist before the appointment begins. If your child has autism, scheduling a time when they aren’t as busy might be a good idea to help avoid overstimulation. If your child has dental anxiety, the dentist can help formulate a plan to help keep them calm throughout their visit.

Whatever pediatric dentist you choose will want to use whatever tricks they can to help you and your child have a good experience.

Technology

Not every dentist offers the same sort of specialties. When choosing the right dentist for your child, taking a look at the technologies and treatments they have can sometimes help you make the right decision.

• Do they have the ability to offer different kinds of sedation? This can be helpful if your child has dental anxiety, certain disabilities, or even if they need in-depth treatment either now, or in the future.
• Do they offer laser dentistry for soft and hard tissue?
• To help keep fillings pain-free, do they use air abrasion instead of traditional drills?
• Do they have intraoral cameras and digital X-rays?
• Do they do tongue- and lip-tie revisions?
• Do they have the ability to put crowns on the rear teeth if necessary? And do they use EZ Crowns by Sprig? These are crowns specifically fabricated for children.

When it comes to children, you never know what will be needed. Finding a dentist with access to a wide variety of treatments can be helpful. That way, they are prepared to take care of your child without having to send you elsewhere. This can help your child’s anxiety tremendously, as they will already be comfortable and familiar with their environment.

Do they take emergency appointments?

With kids, life is never boring. They are energetic and have adventure on the mind. Unfortunately, this can result in accidents. Did your child decide to leap off of that swingset? Did they collide with another student during recess, resulting in a few missing teeth? The reasons your little one might need a last-minute appointment are endless. Finding a dentist that understands the mischief they can get into can go a long way to finding the right dental home for your child. This way, if your child does have a dental emergency, they are already familiar with the staff and environment.

Open Communication

You want to ensure that both you and your child feel comfortable with whatever dentist you choose. You want to be able to keep open communication with your child’s dentist. That way you can feel confident that they will listen to any concerns you might have.

Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry checks all your boxes!

Here at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry, we specialize in children of all ages in Salem, Oregon. We keep our office colorful and inviting, and our atmosphere friendly. Whether your child is a new patient, or a returning patient, we’d love to see their smiling faces!