Since we have choices, the obvious question is, “Which one is the best dental option for children?” And, as you might expect, the obvious answer is, “it depends.” The reason there’s not an initial definitive answer is because of the factors that need to be taken into consideration. Such factors might include whether or not your child has specialized dental needs or a condition that requires only specialized care, how old your child is, the convenience to everyone in the family of seeing the same dental provider, how comfortable you and your child are with the dentist if it’s important that your child not have to change dentists when they reach a certain age. These and other factors all influence the decision that families must make when it comes to choosing the best dentist for their children.
In the end, what it really comes down to is this…the best dentist for your child is ultimately going to be the one that best fits your child’s individual needs, your family, personality, lifestyle, and specific situation.
What’s a General Dentist?
A general dentist is exactly what the name implies; a dentist who doesn’t specialize in any one area but provides non-specific dental care, much like a physician who is a general practitioner.
General dentists typically provide education and care for routine dental needs surrounding proper oral health maintenance along with preventive measures, and treatment. Services usually include cleanings, x-rays, fillings, crowns, bridges, extractions, gum health, etc. You might think of them as a basic primary care provider who diagnoses, treats, and manages your oral health. General dentists may choose to see patients of all ages, although many elect to restrict younger ages from treatment.
What’s a Family Dentist?
A family dentist is like a general dentist in that they provide the same or similar range of services. The main difference is that a family dentist will treat patients of all ages, from the very, very young to the very…very mature. They’re dental practitioners who have chosen family dentistry as either a stand-alone practice area or have elected to include that field along with more advanced care in order to further accommodate the needs of their overall patient base.
For example, our practice is dedicated to cosmetic, restorative, and family dental care, which means we’re extremely attentive to detail. We elected many years ago to include family dentistry in our practice to better serve our patients and meet their needs. Through the inclusion of the services provided under general or family dentistry, along with our more advanced cosmetic and restorative services, we give our patients the convenience of seeing only one dentist, accommodating the dental needs of the entire family, and allowing the child to grow and maintain a life-long dental relationship with someone who knows their entire history.
(To better understand cosmetic dentistry, check out our earlier blog post, “Smile Makeover – How Can I Improve My Smile?“)
What’s a Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist is a dentist who specializes exclusively in providing dental care for children. Like a general and family dentist, pediatric dentists care for a child’s overall oral health and hygiene through education and preventive care along with maintenance, diagnosis, and treatment. Although ages differ among practices, some pediatric dentists only treat children up to ages six or seven while others may retain children up to twelve or thirteen years of age before no longer providing treatment. Then, there are even some practitioners who retain children into their formative teenage years or even their early twenties.
As part of the curriculum surrounding pediatric dentistry, practitioners attend an additional two to three years of school with the added training focused on children’s behavioral issues, helping children to be more comfortable, treating children with special needs, and children’s basic dental needs. Since a pediatric dentist only treats children, their offices are specifically designed with younger children in mind. From play areas and toys to children’s books on the tables and cartoons or animated movies showing on tv, a pediatric practice is all about the children.
How Early Do I Need to Take My Child to A Dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), it’s recommended that your child have their first dental visit either prior to age one or within six months after their first tooth appears. For children in this age range, a pediatric dentist may be best suited due to their specialized training in managing the very young. While some general dentists and family dentists do treat children at a very early age, most prefer that the child be about three years old prior to seeing them.
Beginning an evaluation early can help to establish good oral hygiene practices and preventive care measures. Additionally, early visits can identify any suspicious issues or obvious trouble areas. Early and regular dental visits help to establish and maintain sound oral health. As a result, many financial expenses associated with corrective care, later on, can be significantly reduced or eliminated.
Farragut and Knoxville’s Cosmetic Dentist
As a cosmetic dentist we have the ability to care for our family and restorative patients on a very comprehensive level. Given that cosmetic dentistry provides complete oral health care with an emphasis on preventive and maintenance measures, corrects oral imperfections, and helps to enhance a patient’s overall facial esthetics, we’re extremely detail-oriented and meticulous regarding the caliber of our work and the care we extend to each and every patient – from the very, very young to the very…very mature.
If there’s anything we can do to help you or your family, whether it’s cosmetic, family, or restorative in nature, please contact us here.
