Family Dentist vs Pediatric Dentist Q&A

There are many types of dentists, including family dentists and pediatric dentists. Family dentists treat adults and children of all ages and provide care for the teeth, gums, and mouths of their patients. Family dentists work closely with their patients to determine the best treatment plan for their individual needs. The biggest difference between the two professions is the demographic treated: Family dentists are licensed to provide general dental services to patients of all ages, while pediatric dentists are licensed to provide dental care to children of all ages.

If a general dentist has received the training and licensing required to practice pediatric dentistry, they can treat children. However, this is not always a requirement or a desire of the dentist, so not all general dentists treat children. In some states, however, general dentists can treat children, even if they have not received the necessary training and education regarding the mouth and jaw anatomy of children. A background in this knowledge is imperative to provide the best care; children’s mouths and jaws are constantly changing and growing as they mature into young adults. Knowing what changes to expect and how to handle any potential complications is crucial to delivering top-quality service.

A pediatric dentist is necessary to provide children with the dental care they need. Pediatric dentists can help kids and adolescents improve their oral health and take the necessary preventative steps to avoid developing oral diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Because children often have a high-sugar diet, they are more prone to developing cavities; pediatric dentists cannot only help to prevent these by catching them early and providing the necessary treatments, but they can also perform fillings to remove cavities from the affected teeth.

When looking for a good family dentist, it is important to find one who has experience working on patients of the same age that you need; if you have young children, it is imperative to choose a family dentist with experience in this area; if you have teenagers, they should have experience treating patients in this age group. It is also important to consider:

• The dentist’s communication style
• The comfort of children with the dentist
• The location of the clinic
• The time it takes to get an appointment (next day, next week, several weeks out, etc.)

General dentists typically treat adults, therefore they tend to offer services that are more aimed toward this group’s needs, including:

• Teeth cleanings
• Root canals
• Fillings
• Sealants
• Crowns and bridges
• Veneers
• Gum disease care
• Dental implants
• Preventative education on oral health
• Disease Prevention

Pediatric dentists are specially trained to work with children and are knowledgeable in the developing teeth and jaw of children, child behavior, and physical growth and development. They often provide:

• Teeth cleanings
• Sealants
• X-rays
• Filling cavities
• Removing teeth
• Fixing broken teeth
• Identifying and addressing spacing issues
• Help for kids to break bad habits

If you are looking for an experienced dentist for you and your family, come to NuSmile Dental & Orthodontics! Contact us today or book an appointment with our family dentist, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 1319 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95118. We serve patients from San Jose CA, Los Gatos CA, Campbell CA, Santa Clara CA, Cupertino CA, Sunnyvale CA, Saratoga CA, and Mountain View CA. We look forward to serving you!