Rather than spending time going to different clinics in order to find the best one, learning some things to look for when searching for your pediatric dentist before you ever visit them can make all the difference.

Best pediatric dentist Miami

If you are a parent or guardian of a small child or an adolescent, you may know that it is important to look for a good pediatric dentist for them. It is highly recommended that children should visit the dentist regularly to ensure good dental and oral health. In fact, the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric dentistry recommend that parents take their children to the dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts or by 1 year of age. A lot of parents will search using phrases like ‘best pediatric dentist Miami‘, ‘oral health’, ‘dental emergency’, ‘pediatric dentist years of experience’ and ‘best pediatric dentist near me” when they try to look for the best pediatric dentist.

Depending on the area that you live in, you might be more specific in your search. For example, if you live in the Miami area, you might use words like ‘best pediatric dentist Miami FL.’ Additionally, if you search for ‘best pediatric dentist in Miami,’ ‘pediatric treatment options’ or ‘doctor of dental medicine in Miami,’ you might come across results that if you search in cities like Coral Gables FL. If you want to be more specific, for example you live in South Miami or South Florida, you might spend time researching best pediatric dentists in these specific areas which will help narrow your search a little bit more if you’re looking to find places that are in close proximity for convenience.

It is in your best interest and in the interest of your child to do your research before visiting a clinic. Once you’ve done your research and narrowed your options to a few key ones that you want to visit, you might be fortunate to find that some or all of them might provide the option of a free initial no obligation consultation where you can go for a visit to further determine its suitability for your child.

If you are still not convinced for whatever reason that your child needs to visit the dentist regularly, you should know that research shows that dental caries are unfortunately highly prevalent in school-aged children. In fact, the pain caused by untreated dental caries will affect a child’s quality of sleep and the ability to eat. It can also retard growth and will negatively affect their social life (Frichembruder K et al.,2020).

What types of dentists are there? Best pediatric dentist in Miami

Although this article is mostly focused on pediatric dentists, it is important to cover this topic because some parents may be tempted to take their child to their general dentist. However, although the general family dentist may be great for adults, it is always best to take your child to a pediatric dentist as a pediatric dentist has all the training of a general dentist and additional training that is focused on children and their specific needs.

Furthermore, you may have gone to an emergency dentist and may be considering taking your child there; however, as their name suggests, emergency dentists are usually for emergencies such as severe dental pain, bleeding, or oral trauma, etc. (Roberts, et al., 2000). If your child has a dental emergency outside of regular business hours, then feel free to take your child to an emergency dentist.

Unfortunately, a dental emergency might happen while a child is at the dental office. To avoid this, the dentist must take special precautions when treating children as children are not small adults and their management is different (Vranić DN et al.,2016) . This is another reason why your child should be seen by a pediatric dentist rather than a general dentist.

Which is the best clinic for pediatric dentistry? Best pediatric dentist Miami

When considering a pediatric dentist for your child, the following are guidelines and qualities that you should look for in your pediatric dentist.

• Concern for Children

The most important quality that a children’s dentist must have is genuine care for children. This will be a reason why some dentists choose to specialize in pediatric care.

• Patient

Children may be frightened by the sights and sounds in a dental office, which may make it difficult for them to sit still. Therefore, a pediatric dentist must patiently build rapport with their patients for an effective session.

• Authoritative and compassionate

In addition to the above point, if a child doesn’t listen or pay attention, the pediatric dentist needs to have a kind, caring, but firm and authoritative voice to ensure a successful and timely treatment session.

• Approachable and friendly

If a pediatric dentist isn’t approachable, it will make children uneasy about their dental visits and that might be problematic for parents if their children are kicking and screaming on the way.  A good pediatric dentist should also be easily approachable by the parents.

• Engaging

An engaging children’s dentist will help the child view their oral health care and dental hygiene in a new way – as something fun, important, and good for health.

• Knowledgeable

The pediatric dentist should be knowledgeable and keep up with continued professional development and current evidence-based treatment options.

Can I wear removable braces without consulting a dentist? Best pediatric dentist

In the event that your child requires braces, you may be wondering if you need to see a pediatric dentist before buying braces for your child or you may be considering Invisalign.

Before deciding on any treatment option, whether braces or Invisalign or something else, it is always important to consult your dentist. This goes for your child and for yourself. The dentist will be able to examine your child’s oral health and determine the best course of action.

Is Invisalign really better than braces? Best pediatric dentist Miami

Many people may have heard that Invisalign is better than braces. And in some cases, depending on personal circumstances, Invisalign may be the better option for you or your child’s dental health.

For example, Invisalign has the benefit of being nearly invisible whereas braces are not. However, children may want braces so that they can personalize them and make them more fun. Your teenager, on the other hand, might want Invisalign because of its near invisibility.

As mentioned above, it is important for you and your child to visit your pediatric dentist who will advise you on the best course of action.

References:

Frichembruder, K., Mello Dos Santos, C., & Neves Hugo, F. (2020). Dental emergency: Scoping review. PloS one, 15(2), e0222248. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222248

Roberts, G., Scully, C., & Shotts, R. (2000). ABC of oral health. Dental emergencies. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 321(7260), 559–562. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7260.559

Vranić, D. N., Jurković, J., Jeličić, J., Balenović, A., Stipančić, G., & Čuković-Bagić, I. (2016). Medical Emergencies in Pediatric dentistry. Acta stomatologica Croatica, 50(1), 72–80. https://doi.org/10.15644/asc50/1/10