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Young boy looking at the mirror with toothy smile sitting on the chair with dentist and assistant at the dental office
We specialize in pediatric dentistry, or dental services that are catered to children and their dental needs. Besides establishing excellent oral hygiene habits early-on in our patients, pediatric dentistry is also your first step in preventing oral health problems in children before they become severe. We work to help the smiles of infants and children stay healthy so that teeth remain strong and sturdy as our patients become teenagers and adults. Our pediatric dentistry office also works closely with our orthodontic office to correct bite problems, malocclusion and to detect instances of tooth decay or gum disease in their earliest stages. Investing in pediatric dentistry will not only help your child start out life strong, but will help them keep their smiles strong for many years to come.
Pediatric Dentistry: Why It’s Important
When it comes to dentistry, proper care is not just for teenagers and adults. A pediatric dentist is specially trained and qualified to protect your child’s oral health. Pediatric dentists must study additional material to treat children. Some of this training can take several years and involves classes specifically about treating the oral health of infants and children as well as psychology classes to understand children and how best to work with them.
A pediatric dentist treats infants and children all the way through their adolescent years. Although baby teeth will fall out eventually, your child will have those teeth for several years, so it’s important that they are properly cared for. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry teaches that children who are frequently exposed to sugary liquids (even breast milk or formula) run the risk of early childhood caries. That means they run the risk of tooth decay.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 42% of children between 2 and 11 have tooth decay (cavities) in their teeth. Tooth decay can begin as soon as the teeth begin to emerge in the mouth, which is around 6 months of age. In children, tooth decay also progresses rapidly and the teeth are more delicate, so this decay can also be painful for them. The AAPD also reports that tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. This can all be prevented with proper oral health habits such as brushing your child or infant’s teeth often and seeing a pediatric dentist for early care.
Orthodontic Care for Children
Make dental hygiene practices a priority for your family as well as frequent dental visits. This is the best way to ensure your child’s oral health stays strong. Not all offices are the same though, when it comes to providing pediatric care. We have many positive practices set in place, and some that are unique to Hardy Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. The best part about our office is that we not only have a pediatric dentist on hand (Dr. Nam), but we also have an orthodontist. Both work together to detect dental problems. A pediatric dentist can help ensure that your child’s smile is healthy and that the teeth are coming in correctly. If there are bite or alignment problems present, Dr. Nam works closely with Dr. Hardy to correct problems in childhood before they become severe.
What We Do
There are certain practices and beliefs we have at the office that we hope will benefit your child. We avoid using words such as “shot”, “drill”, “needle” and “pulling teeth”. These words can sometimes frighten children, when the procedures we do are not frightening. Instead we use words such as “sleepy juice”, “whistly toothbrush”, “Mr. Thirsty”, “Tooth Counter”, and “wiggle your tooth”. Terms such as these create a much more positive experience for a young child becoming familiar with the dentist. Parents also play an active role in their child’s health. Parents are encouraged to come back during treatment to provide emotional support if needed or wanted.
Why Choose Us?
We are committed to providing comprehensive pediatric dental and all-ages orthodontic services that meet your unique needs. Our office is special because we have both a pediatric dentist and an orthodontist that work in conjunction with one another to monitor your child’s oral health. Both Dr. T.C. Hardy and Dr. Nam spent 2-3 additional years training in pediatric programs and specialized orthodontics. Not all dentists go through that training. Dr. Namrata Hardy specializes in providing oral health care to infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special needs.
We also believe that positive dental visits from an early age can help shape a positive outlook for your child about visiting the dentist often. We work hard to create that positive experience each and every day.
Your Free Consultation
If you have a child, it’s never too early to start looking for the right pediatric dentist for them. Getting started early-on will help ensure that your child establishes the proper dental habits to keep their oral health in check for years to come. Early care will also help your child have their best smile through preventative care. This will help them avoid serious problems or surgeries later on in life. If you would like to learn more about pediatric dentistry or all the ways our dentists can help your child, simply call Hardy Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics today at (720) 887-6003!