WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST? CHICAGO
The Difference a Pediatric Dentist Can Make
Our practice is unique in that we have four board-certified pediatric dentists in Chicago on staff, but why is this so rare? And as a parent, how does this matter to your child? Choosing to partner with a pediatric dentist is one of the most effective ways to guarantee that your child forms a positive relationship with dentistry and works with a doctor who is specially trained not only to connect with them, but monitor and guide their oral development through every age and stage.
How Is a Pediatric Dentist Different from a General Dentist?
Both general dentists and pediatric dentists start by earning a four-year undergraduate degree before going to dental school. At this point, a general dentist can begin practicing, but a pediatric dentist receives further training. This usually comes in the form of a two-year pediatric residency, where they solely focus on meeting the unique dental and personal needs of patients ages 0-18, with a big emphasis on working with children with special needs.
What Are the Benefits of Taking My Child to a Pediatric Dentist?
First and foremost, pediatric dentists are able to meet kids where they’re at when it comes to their personality, maturity, and ability to communicate. They are also more familiar with the different dental milestones and can better manage how a child’s teeth and jaw are growing.
What Ages Do Pediatric Dentists Treat?
Pediatric dentists can provide a wide array of dental services for children ages 0-18, from infancy to the teen years and everywhere in between. Of course, as a child’s mouth naturally changes, so does the content and focus of their care.
Dentistry for Infants
Yes, we can help your child’s smile even before they have teeth! An oral wellness checkup can let us keep an eye on the baby teeth before they even appear, plus, we can give new parents advice on how to keep their new little smile clean and healthy.
Learn More About Dentistry for Infants
Dentistry for Toddlers
With toddlers, we can help them (and you!) navigate the tribulations of teething while making sure their baby teeth are coming in properly and staying healthy.
Learn More About Dentistry for Toddlers
Dentistry for Children
This stage is exciting because it’s when the baby teeth begin to fall out, so routine dental checkups are more important than ever to ensure their adult teeth have the best possible chance of coming in straight and staying strong.
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Dentistry for Teens
In addition to making sure a teen is practicing good oral hygiene, we’ll also keep an eye out for the early signs of orthodontic issues. When addressed early, problems like crookedness, gaps, and a misaligned bite can be mitigated, corrected quickly, or avoided entirely in some cases.
Learn More About Dentistry for Teens
Special Needs Children
As pediatric dentists, our dentists at Growing Smiles have many hours of experience treating children with various mental, physical, behavioral, and sensory special needs. We’re able to serve as part of their overall care team, and we can make any accommodations necessary to ensure smooth and productive appointments.
