Dr. Glenn Head, DMD is specifically trained to put your child at ease as well as teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth. Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents, and children with special needs.
In the same way that pediatricians are trained to meet a child’s medical needs, our pediatric dentist is qualified to protect your child’s oral health using the most advanced techniques. Pediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of training at university pediatric facilities in addition to four years of dental school and four years of college. They learn how to deal with the behavioral aspects of children, how to make them feel comfortable, and to make the experience pleasant. They also are trained and qualified to treat children with special needs.
Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is early childhood tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle (or breast) too long. Another problem is gum disease. About 40 percent of children two to three years old have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues. Oral habits (such as digit sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly, and feel good about his or her appearance.
Primary teeth are important because they help with proper chewing and eating, help in speech development, and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly, and smile confidently is a happier child. Healthy primary teeth allow normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth, and guide them into place. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent teeth may come in crooked. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain, abscesses, infections, and can spread to the permanent teeth. Also, your child’s general health can be affected if diseased baby teeth aren’t treated.
We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first hair-cut. We encourage you to read one (or two) of the many children’s books about the dentist as a nice way to prepare.
At Eastside Pediatric Dentistry, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.
