We’ve been providing childrens’ cleanings and dental care in the Simpsonville and greater Greenville SC area for over twenty years. In that time, we’ve seen more area dental offices offer full-family services, from childhood to adults. For parents looking for a great dentist for their child, weighing which type of dental office to choose is important. So we’re delving deeper into why we recommend using a pediatric dentist for your child’s dental needs and what sets them apart from general dentistry practitioners.
Top reasons you should choose a pediatric dentist for your children’s dental needs:
Specialized education
A family dentist or general dentist provides a large range of services to all age ranges. These dental offices typically focus on more general issues and some cosmetics but aren’t as adept at the differences in children’s teeth and growth and development.
Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, require 2-3 years of additional specialized training focusing on early teeth/jaw development and even child psychology after completing dental school. This deeper breadth of knowledge in the development of children’s teeth allows pediatric dentists to better understand and care for young childrens’ dental needs.
So while many services such as cleanings, x-rays, filling cavities, and treating gum and jaw problems may be similar, what sets pediatric dentists apart is how tailored their level of care is to the specific age of the child. They are able to more effectively address age-related problems such as habits, spacing issues, and broken teeth. Simply put – the more tailored the care, the better. And who doesn’t want what’s best for their child?
Deeper experience
Along with specialized education, working day to day with just children enables pediatric dentists to experience more unique situations related to youth dental development. They are better suited to advise parents of childhood issues like thumb sucking, loose baby teeth, and dental cleaning routines. Pediatric dentists are also trained to better deliver essential dental treatments with the best experience for the patients.
Better at handling children anxiety
Another positive of choosing a pediatric dentist for your child’s dental care is simply the atmosphere and patient care. Pediatric dentists have deeper experience in dealing with child anxiety and tend to create offices that ease fears and build trust. Our office for instance is designed like an aquarium with fun colors, fish, and animals. Our children are treated to prizes after a successful cleaning or visit, and we specifically strive to make each child smile and laugh while they’re here with us. Pediatric dentists experience the good and the bad of seeing young patients and are better able to handle difficult situations such as anxiety and building a long-lasting rapport for successful future visits.
What’s a con then of having your children attend a pediatric vs a general dentist? Once the child enters adulthood, we usually refer them to a family or general dentist. But if you’re in our Greenville area and want to find a place with just one location for the whole family, check us out. Holly Tree Pediatric Dentistry is in the same building as Dr. Ann Bynum’s husband’s practice – Bynum Aesthetic Dentistry. Not only does Dr. Matt Bynum and his team provide exceptional general dentistry, but they are renowned for their cosmetic services such as teeth whitening, dental implants, sleep apnea solutions, and smile restorations. Our practices are like family and so our patients, and we would love to have you (and yours) join our dental family! If you’re in the area and would like to set up an initial appointment with either Holly Tree Pediatric Dentistry or Bynum Aesthetic Dentistry, call us at (864) 297-5585. For your child’s first appointment, we offer free visits to any child under 2. Come experience Holly Tree’s inviting and fun atmosphere today!