A growing family needs excellent dental care to have good health. As your children grow, they’ll come with a whole new set of challenges with their dental health, and parents new to having children may be confused about what type of dentist they should see for their care. It is often not very pleasant, especially for learning the difference between pediatric and family dentists. To help you out, here are some basic facts about each of these dentists and which ones would work best for you.
Do You Need a Pediatric or Family Dentist?
Every dentist is qualified to provide dental care, but specialists are skilled in their expertise. General dentists are who most adults see for their dental care, but others, such as orthodontists, periodontists, and endodontists, work in specific fields of oral care for more complex cases.
When it comes to children, they’ll either need to see a family dentist or pediatric dentist for most of their childhood. These two specialties are essential for families everywhere based on the needs of each family member. Some may require pediatric care, while others can do just fine with a family dentist. However, these two specialties serve very different purposes:
- Family Dentists: Family dentists are like general dentists but for families. Their practices focus on providing dental care for family members of all ages, from babies to the elderly. They’re the dentists that families visit for life, as they can treat various health problems in the same location. They’re also considered some of the most personal dentists families can find due to the long-lasting relationships they build with their patients.
- Pediatric Dentists: Pediatric dentists have a more narrow focus, providing dental care specifically for children. However, their focus is on children with more complex cases of disease, disorders, or illnesses, including those with special needs, complex malocclusions, and other health problems. Pediatric dentists handle issues children face during childhood by having a deeper, more invested focus on their growth and development and only see these patients until their 18.
Your choice of dentist depends on your specific needs for your family or children. Both of these dentists can provide dental care for children but have different areas of focus on how their care is delivered and what options are available for their patients. In short, pediatric dentists work best for children facing complex issues with their health, while family dentists are a cost-effective solution for the whole family.
Visit Your Local Family or Pediatric Dentist Today!
If you see a regular dentist, asking about good dentists in your area for your family and children is the best way to gain more insight into what they need most from their dental care. Both of them can catch decay early and treat it, but your child is the ultimate deciding whether a family dentist or pediatric dentist will work best for them. Make sure to schedule an appointment with your local family or pediatric dentist to learn more about what your children need most from their dental care.
