Pediatric dentists all around the world are concerned with the oral and dental health of infants to teenagers. These dentists used to be referred to as pedodontists. Dentists with this title are required to take three extra years of training after a General Dentist degree. Because the structure of the mouth is different in children, these dentists specialize in offering proper procedures. Most often, these dentists maintain general health, prevent tooth decay, and monitor development.
Pediatric dentists perform a variety of functions that one does not normally think about. For example, besides just polishing teeth, dentists educate children, practice child psychology, and intervene with early oral treatments if deemed necessary. Pediatric dentist in Richmond, VA educate children on the importance of strong and healthy teeth by using physical models, computer technology, and easy to understand language. These dentists also educate parents on the importance of preventing diseases and trauma, enforcing healthy eating habits, and establishing a home hygiene routine. To prevent trauma, dentists practice child psychology. Essentially, these practitioners are trained to create a social, relaxing, and fun atmosphere.
All dentists avoid saying threatening words like “needle,” “pull,” and “inject.” Most phobias of dentists develop during childhood so it is essential to avoid exacerbating or contributing to the development of such a phobia. Baby teeth are incredibly instrumental in developing chewing habits, producing proper speech sounds, and holding space for permanent teeth. If the child shows signs of malocclusion or bruxism, space maintainers or night mouth guards may be used. Malocclusion essentially means a bad bite in which the teeth are misaligned. Bruxism is excessive grinding or clenching.
One Pediatric dentist in Richmond, VA that performs these services is W. Baxter Perkinson. Baxter and his associates practice this form of dentistry as well as orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, general and cosmetic dentistry, and dental implants. Orthodontics seeks to prevent and correct irregularities in the teeth while periodontics treats gum diseases. Prosthodontics helps replace missing teeth and jaw structures. General dentistry refers to diagnosing and treating tooth decay and gum disease, while cosmetic dentistry focuses on restoring the appearance of cracked, chipped, or discolored teeth. Dental implants help create a strong foundation for artificial teeth.
