Austin Pediatric & Pediatricians Info Guide

Most parents will agree that a pediatrician is a must, but so too is the pediatric dentist. With the amount of sugary foods and delicious treats, children today are consuming more and more tooth damaging foods. With all this threat to the health of our children, the importance of pediatric dentistry has never been more important.

Child Dentist Visit : Photo By Amy-Rose King

The problem of tooth decay in our nation’s children is so great that in 2002, “Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General” found that tooth decay is the most chronic childhood ailment. Tooth decay is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. With this startling figure in mind, the importance of routine checkups with a dentist is evident.
Tooth decay in children can lead to a lifetime of possibly painful dental work such as fillings, root canals, implants and other cosmetic dentistry. The benefit of a skilled pediatric dentist reaches well beyond just the teeth and gums. The physical appearance of a child can lead to self-esteem issues, and this appearance includes healthy teeth and gums. Pediatric dentists can start the process of correcting alignment issues, overcrowding teeth and gaps early on, to ensure a beautiful healthy smile.
Routine visits to your pediatric dentist will include cleanings which will brighten your child’s smile. If needed the pediatric dentist will use orthodontics to correct problems in a child’s teeth alignment and correct any over or under bite. The proper alignment of teeth and jaw goes well beyond just appearances, improper alignment of teeth and jaw can lead to a life of facial pain. Simple things such as thumb sucking after a child has his permanent teeth can lead to misalignment of teeth and jaw. This condition can interfere with the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull, a condition that may result in pain as an adult. With routine visits to a pediatric dentist, even things that seem to be so simple and non-important can be addressed, corrected, and alleviate a life time of dental pain.
With the needs of pediatric dentistry being felt around the nation, there are many programs to assist with the costs. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. During the month events like, it is Give Kids a Smile Day, offer low and no cost dental advice and care to children. These events along with community and state health initiatives are helping to curb the real need for pediatric dentistry, and stop the epidemic of tooth decay in the nation’s youth. Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, are raising money for disaster victims, and low income families. These programs help to bridge the gaps that exist in insurance, income, and ability to pay.  Many states now have pediatric dental care as part of their public health departments, and with little or no cost to the parent, children are getting the dental care they need for a health tomorrow.
Education is also a key factor in pediatric dentistry. With programs designed to educate and inform children, dentistry is going into the schools to teach children how to care for their teeth and gums. Pediatric dentists are also taking to the air waves with advertisements and programs to educate children on the importance of brushing their teeth. With proper care of the teeth and gums including brushing, flossing, and using a ADA approved mouthwash, children are reducing their risks for cavities, gingivitis, halitosis, and ensuring a healthy clean smile.
With organizations like American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and dedicated pediatric dentists throughout the country, children now have the best possible chance of growing up with healthy smiles, and healthier lives.

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