A parent should start bringing their child to a pediatric dentist within six months to a year of when their first tooth starts to come through their gum line. It is very important that a dental professional monitors a child’s tooth development as soon as possible in order to make sure that there are no complications or problems as they grow older, and start developing more teeth. With a pediatric dentist, Land O Lakes residents might be wondering how long they should see their child specialist, and when would be an appropriate time to send them to an adult dentist? This answer may be more subjective than someone might think, as there is no set time when the skills and services of a pediatric dentist become less valuable.
Are Teenagers Considered Adults to Pediatric dentists?
While it is easy to assume that pediatric dentist is only concerned with the oral health of children, it may be hard to determine what age they are not considered children anymore. Some people might assume that a teenager would be a decent age to call children adults, but teenagers are still regularly seen by a pediatric dentist. Land o Lakes residents should also know that just because a child is starting to develop their permanent set of teeth, often called adult teeth, does not mean they should have to go to a regular dental office just yet.
Would it Be Bad to Switch a Child to Regular Dentist too Early?
Because there is no real age limit for a parent to want to switch their child from a pediatric dentist to a regular dentist, they may be wondering if there are any negative consequences for making the switch too early. Although this sounds like a decision that would be best for an adult or a pediatric dentist, Land O Lakes residents should be aware that this is entirely dependent on the child themselves. If they feel more comfortable with their current pediatric dentists, then there should be no sense of urgency to switch. On the contrary, if your child is excited about making the change, you should support their decision as they are now ready, and probably not as scared as some younger children tend to be.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Anchor Dental Care*