The dental habits you instill in your child early on will remain with them throughout their lives and impact their oral health as they age. Part of properly caring for your child’s teeth is ensuring they visit a pediatric dentist at least once a year. A pediatric dentist is a professional who after graduating from dental school, receives two to three years of additional training and who specializes in the oral care of infants, children, and teens. Because the structure of children’s mouths is constantly changing, a pediatric dentist is equipped with the knowledge to address their specific needs.

Below is an in-depth look at the unique care this dentist offers:

• Emergency Care: Much of children’s dentistry is focused on emergency procedures. Children—especially toddlers—may be accident-prone and are likely to fall and damage their teeth. Additionally, many children experience dental injuries playing contact sports such as soccer or martial arts. In the event of an incident, a pediatric dentist will be able to repair or replace the broken or missing tooth.
• Preventative Dentistry: The goal of pediatric dentistry is to help children preserve their teeth well into adulthood. As a result, most children’s dentists perform preventative procedures such as deep cleanings, assessing cavity risk, and swabbing a child’s mouth with fluoride to protect against decay.
• Orthodontics: Most orthodontic patients are pre-teens and teenagers. As a result, many pediatric dentists include orthodontics as part of their care. Should your child want to correct the alignment of their teeth, a children’s orthodontist can help them to do so, sometimes in a period of under two years.
• Restorative Work: Because children are more accident-prone and subject to tooth decay than adults, a pediatric dentist has expertise in restorative work. They may specialize in bonding, fillings, and dental crowns.
• Dental Education: In addition to the physical work your child’s dentist provides, they also enhance your child’s dental education. You can expect them to explain the importance of dental care, teach your child how to brush properly, and answer any questions you or your child may have.

If you need a pediatric dentist for your child in the Honolulu, HI area, contact the office of Dr. Dean T. Sueda, DDS, MS. This children’s dentist has a loyal group of patients—many of them second generation. To learn more about this office, visit them online or call (808) 944-1603 to make an appointment.