Our office provides comprehensive, individualized dental care to all of our patients. We promote a relaxed environment at our office to ensure the most comfortable experience possible during your child's visit. We also offer care to patients with special needs.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PEDIATRIC DENTIST AND A FAMILY OR GENERAL DENTIST?
Pediatric Dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. Compared to a family or general dentist, a pediatric dentist has completed an additional 2 to 3 years of specialty pediatric training following dental school and limits his or her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are the primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special needs.
IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY ("BABY") TEETH
It is very important that primary teeth are kept until they are lost naturally. They serve a number of important functions. They help maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly. They are important in allowing good pronunciation and speech habits; and they help your child feel good about the way he or she looks to others. Primary teeth also help guide the proper eruption of the permanent teeth. When primary teeth are lost too early, the space that is left should be maintained by a "space maintainer" to ensure that there will be enough room for the permanent teeth when they erupt. Dr. Sethi has the knowledge and experience required to apply both preventive and corrective techniques that will maintain the health of your child's teeth. Many times, she can make a minor correction that will eliminate major dental work later.
CHILDREN
Children are a precious gift. An early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to total health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children begin routine dental visits by age one so that any problems may be detected, treated early, or even avoided completely.
PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
An important part of the education of a pediatric dentist is concerned with the medical and dental problems of the special patient (i.e. Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, congenital heart problems, ADHD, asthma, etc.).
People with significant medical, physical or mental disabilities often present unique challenges to dentists.
Dr. Sethi has been specially trained in techniques that ensure excellent care for these patients.
To help your child stay healthy, Dr. Sethi often works with pediatricians, other physicians and other dental specialists.
Normal children as well as hospitalized, handicapped and chronically ill children often are served best through this team approach – Dr. Sethi is an integral part of this health care team.
CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
Pleasant visits to the pediatric dental office help a child establish trust and confidence that will last a lifetime.
Dr. Sethi and her staff have been specially trained to help young, apprehensive children feel good about seeing the dentist and taking care of their teeth.
Friendly, compassionate professionals and bright, cheerful office surroundings are all there to help your child have healthy teeth and gums.
Dr. Sethi is specially trained and experienced with several in-office techniques, as well as general anesthesia to perform dental surgery.
PREVENTION
As per the
American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Sethi advises parents that regular dental care should begin by one year of age.
By this age, many children already have dental decay. To protect against problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb-sucking, Dr. Sethi can provide or recommend special preventive care.
The prevention of dental disease is an important consideration during the first few visits.
Dr. Sethi will discuss gum diseases and explain how to avoid them or how to minimize damage if it already has started.
She will discuss a program of preventive home care including brushing, flossing, diet control and the importance of fluorides.
Dr. Sethi also may discuss nursing decay (bottle-mouth syndrome), a pattern o decay associated with prolonged nursing.
The teeth in a child who either sleeps with a bottle or who nurses frequently can develop a type of decay that attacks quite rapidly.
The upper front teeth and then the upper and lower back teeth decay rapidly and all of the baby teeth may be destroyed if the condition is not detected and corrected early enough.
To prevent nursing caries, Dr. Sethi recommends that a child be weaned by approximately 12 months of age.
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