Pediatric Dentistry
There are few things more important than a child’s smile. That’s why pediatric dentistry is such an important field. Here at My Family Dental in Mokena, Illinois, we are specially trained to care for the unique dental needs of children.
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems in children. Because of that, pediatric dentists possess additional training and skills.
We focus on teaching preventive care like brushing and flossing regularly to help children avoid problems like cavities and gum disease. We also have the skills and experience to treat more complex issues, like teeth that are crowded or not coming in properly.
Not only is our team equipped to handle the specific dental needs of a child, but we’re also trained to handle the behavioral and psychological aspects of dental care for children. We commonly see young patients who struggle with dental anxiety and fear.
It’s common for our younger patients to fear things like gagging, injections, pain, equipment, or the dentist as an individual. We work hard to ease their minds in every way we can.
Here are a few helpful tips that we recommend to pediatric patients dealing with fear or anxiety:
- Talk about how you feel instead of holding it in, even directly to the dentist.
- Bring earbuds to be able to listen to music during the appointment.
- Sit in the chair with a hand mirror so you can see what’s going on.
- Use throat spray before you come to control your gag reflex.
- Ask the dentist about alternatives to procedures that make you uncomfortable.
The goal of our team at My Family Dental is to deliver optimal comfort, relaxation and happiness to each of our patients. We will do our very best to minimize any dental anxiety and make sure quick, painless treatments are rendered.
typical procedures
Dental fillings are a common procedure for children, as they are more likely to experience cavities. Fillings help to prevent further decay and restore the tooth to its original shape and function. If decay is large, additional procedures may be needed.
The extraction of primary teeth is also a very common procedure performed on our adolescent patients when treating infected/abscessed teeth, over-retained teeth, or something else completely such as orthodontics. The extraction process regarding primary (baby) teeth is generally not associated with the complications or risks that the extraction adult teeth poses. We recognize the fact that removing a child’s tooth sometimes causes fear, so we’re sensitive to your wishes regarding the specifics of this procedure.
No matter what your child’s dental needs may look like, we will always do our best to ensure that you both understand what’s happening around you. Your little one is in capable hands at My Family Dental.