Pediatric Dentistry is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. A pediatric dentist provides care for infants, children, and adolescents.
On the other hand, a family dentist is usually a general dentist who sees adults and children in one office. Patients in Indianapolis appreciate the convenience that Dr. Stevens provides for family dentistry in his Greenwood dentist office.
Our family dentist in Greenwood, Indiana Dr. Benjamin Stevens welcomes children to our Greenwood, IN family dental practice. Our dental care team understands the potential for your child’s hesitation and anxiety during these early visits and provides gentle and fun attentive care.
We encourage parents of young children to bring them along to their routine dental visits early on so the little one can easily see what happens at the dentist, and can begin to become familiar with our team and office.
Dr. Stevens recommends that your child’s first preventive care visit occur between 18 months and 2 years of age. At this age, we will start to monitor the growth and development of your child’s teeth and mouth. Dr. Stevens will screen for any developmental concerns allowing for early intervention.
A typical child’s visit with Dr. Stevens may involve:
- Teeth cleaning
- Fluoride treatment
- Diagnostic x-rays
- Dental caries (cavities) screening
Pediatric Dentistry What to Expect
Children’s Dental Services Greenwood, Indiana
- Preventive dental care: Twice per year visits to maintain oral health
- Sealants: Dental sealants are generally recommended for permanent molars to help prevent tooth decay
- Sports Mouthguards: Help reduce the chances of tooth loss or damage during contact sports with a custom-fitted mouthguard
- Orthodontic referrals: Dr. Stevens works with several local orthodontists and can refer patients for consultations when deemed necessary
Tips For Your Family’s Oral Health:
- Limit the frequency of meals and snacks
- Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing
- Avoid sugary drinks and sodas
- Avoid giving your child sticky foods
- Make treats part of meals
- Choose nutritious snacks
Promoting good oral hygiene and healthy habits is very important and should be established at a young age. We take the time to instruct parents and children on correct brushing and flossing techniques to enable them to enjoy excellent dental health for a lifetime.
Stopping Dental Fear Early
Many people suffer from a fear of the dentist. It can come from various things. However, taking your child to the dentist can help prevent this from becoming a concern. We do our best to ensure that your child has a good relationship with the dentist and no bad memories in the dentist office. It’s important that they know they’re welcome at the office and that they have nothing to fear.
To start, we keep them at ease and explain what we’ll be doing. We don’t want them to be startled and not prepared. You’re welcome to sit with your child throughout their appointment so that they have a familiar face in the room. We also encourage them to watch you get your dental care so that they know it’s nothing to be scared of.
We believe in patient education, and this includes children. We’ll explain to both of you the best way to clean your child’s teeth and ensure they’re taking the best care of their oral health. It’s important that your child is invested in the health of their mouth so that they know just how crucial it is. Diet recommendations and dental sealants can also be tools to help their oral health.
Monitoring Dental Changes
Children’s mouths go through many changes as they age and develop. Ensuring they regularly go to the dentist allows for early intervention as we can notice changes in their early stages. Younger children are prone to cavities, with sugary diets and less adept oral healthcare skills. Regular monitoring helps us catch these early, so treatment can be minimally invasive.
Into the tweens and teens, the adult teeth will fully come in. Orthodontic issues should be corrected before the mouth has fully formed. Invisalign treatment works in adulthood, but more severe problems need to be taken care of earlier. If we notice signs that your child may need more orthodontic assistance, we can refer them to a trusted orthodontist.
Into the teens and early twenties, wisdom teeth become an issue. We want to catch them before they cause crooked teeth and cramped mouths. In most instances, we recommend wisdom tooth removal. Many times our mouths aren’t big enough for this extra set of molars.
