Children’s teeth develop and grow fairly rapidly, so it is important to take them to a kid friendly dentist in Richmond every six months. Doing so allows the dentist to catch any potentially damaging changes early on and correct or prevent oral issues. At what age is it appropriate to switch a child to a kid friendly dentist? What are some reasons dentists prohibit children of certain ages? Here are some guidelines to help determine the best ages to take children to a kid friendly dentist.
Rather than scheduling a child’s appointment to the dentist based on the age of the child, it is best to plan a visit around the age of the child’s teeth. Most kid friendly dentists prefer to see children over the age of 11 years old. This is because before a child has reached that age, primary teeth may still be present, and any permanent teeth may not have had sufficient time to calcify. According to the American Dental Association, calcification of the third molars does not even begin until a child is between seven and ten years old. The enamel on the molar crowns will be complete by the age of seven or eight, but the roots will not be complete until between the ages of nine and sixteen. Each child’s teeth will develop differently. After a child’s permanent teeth have erupted and have time to calcify is the best time to change the dental provider to a kid friendly dentist in Richmond.
Many dentists choose to get additional schooling in order to accept younger patients and treat them properly.
A dentist usually has additional training and education to work on the primary teeth of children. Primary teeth can present special challenges and require unique tools in order to properly treat issues. Also, because children are growing, the structure of their mouths and jaws change rapidly and can necessitate a dentist with specialized schooling. This means not all kid friendly dentists are equipped to treat children under the age of 11 or whose primary teeth have not all fallen out. Children with special needs may also benefit from visiting a kid friendly dentist with advanced training.
When deciding on a dentist for an older child, it is ideal to find one who has experience with children and the knowledge and skills necessary to properly care for young teeth. This type of dentist is typically better at interacting with children and making them feel as comfortable as possible during the visit. It can be wise to wait until a child is at least 11 years old before taking them to a kid friendly dentist to avoid behavioral issues.
A kid friendly dentist in Richmond should treat most children over the age of 11 as long as the primary teeth are no longer present unless there are extenuating circumstances. Schedule an appointment based on the development of a child’s teeth rather than age. Make sure a dentist has experience treating children to help ensure a positive experience for the child.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Anyone familiar with oral hygiene basics knows that pediatric dentists recommend brushing twice per day — once in the morning and once at night. However, you may not know why. Why is once not enough? After all, experts recommend flossing only once a day. How is brushing your teeth different? This article will explore why…
Everyone learns oral hygiene basics when young, but some details get lost over time. When the time comes, many parents need clarification about what type of toothbrush is best for children. This simple tool comes in many different forms, including a variety of sizes and bristle textures. You may wonder why there are so many…
Teeth brushing is one of the most important oral hygiene basics, as it removes plaque from teeth. However, the toothbrush kids use can impact how effective this practice is. To optimize toothbrushing, parents need to find a brush that fits their child's needs. Fortunately, there are many options out there.A pediatric dentist can help parents…
Children brushing and flossing their teeth twice a day are important oral hygiene basics, but what about using mouthwash? Is it a necessary part of keeping their teeth healthy? While mouthwash is not typically included in the oral hygiene basics recommended by pediatric dentists, it can still offer several benefits when used correctly.One of the…
Anyone familiar with oral hygiene basics knows that pediatric dentists recommend brushing twice per day…
Everyone learns oral hygiene basics when young, but some details get lost over time. When…
Teeth brushing is one of the most important oral hygiene basics, as it removes plaque…
Children brushing and flossing their teeth twice a day are important oral hygiene basics, but…
Tooth decay happens when the enamel, or tooth surface, is damaged. You can use oral…
In order to maintain your child's healthy teeth and gums, you should follow the oral…