Finding the Right Dentist for Any Age

Going to the dentist regularly is important for your overall health and the health of your teeth, mouth and gums. Dentists can be prepared to work with any age group to effectively treat their patient's needs. If you're looking for a dental health practice to handle the needs of your growing children, you will need to find a dentist that can address all the various age groups or find a specific practice that focuses on one age group in particular.

As soon as your child gets their first tooth it is time to go to the dentist. There are practitioners that focus specifically on early childhood dental care. This includes children between the ages of 12 months to 3 years old. Because it takes a special disposition to work with this age group, if you are looking for a doctor for your young child, you may have to seek out a different office than the one you may attend yourself.

As your child ages, it is important to continue working with a doctor who has the right disposition to instill confidence in your child and their oral health. These dentists will help teach your child to not be afraid of office visits, establishing a healthy relationship with dentistry for a lifetime. They will also be super friendly and help your child feel welcome and comfortable. They may even keep them entertained! Many of these offices are equipped with toys in the lobby and TVs in the exam rooms.

As your child reaches their early teens to their college years, they are less like to need the kind of active stimulation a young child may require, but it is very important that during this time of developing into their independent selves, they regularly visit a dentist who can continue to speak to them with respect and care. You may choose to move on to a young adult doctor at this time. You may even choose to go to an office that has orthodontic treatment plans, as this is the time when most young adults go through that process. If you cannot find a single office that can address both general dentistry and orthodontics, many patients see two dentists at this time.

Once they become adults and are no longer under your health plan, growing up with years of supportive oral health care will set them on a healthy track. They will be able to understand the importance of going to see the dentist and continue to take care of themselves as they progress further into adulthood. Even from the very beginning it is important that they see the kind of doctors who can deliver both excellent health care and consultations as well as understand how best to approach a younger patient and match their changing dispositions.