3 Differences between Dentistry for Children and Adults

The needs of children and adults will vary when visiting the dentist. The obvious difference between adult and pediatric dentistry is that a general dentist will focus on adult teeth and pediatric dentistry will focus on children’s teeth—but how does that impact the practice or the procedures the dentists perform? As it turns out, these specialties differ in many areas.

• Cavity Treatment vs. Cavity Prevention

It’s true that anyone can get a cavity regardless of their age. However, adult patients tend to have more tooth decay. It may have been years since an adult has seen a dentist, so new patients always have a dental exam to determine what treatments are needed.

Because adults are more likely to have tooth damage, dentists will suggest services like root canals and crowns. Children can have root canals and crowns as well, but the considerations are sometimes different for baby teeth than they are for permanent, adult teeth. In either case, the dentist will primarily be concerned with preventing further infection and damage.

Pediatric dentistry usually focuses on preventative care. Dentists will educate young children on oral health and teach them skills that will help keep their teeth strong and healthy as they transition into adulthood.

Although the same advice applies to adults, children’s dentists will often spend more time explaining the dangers of consuming too much sugar or not brushing thoroughly.

• Cosmetic Procedures

Many people associate braces with an awkward middle school stage. Recently, more dentists have begun suggesting Invisalign and other braces alternatives to straighten kids’ teeth, although orthodontics still plays a role. Another common children’s procedure is the removal of wisdom teeth. Dentists often recommend this to teenagers or young adults so the teeth can be removed before their presence causes issues with alignment.

Adults, on the other hand, are often managing tooth loss or severe tooth damage more than an alignment issue of the jaw. In 2020, an estimated 40 million Americans used dentures. Dentists can create full or partial dentures, and it’s common for patients to have a dental bridge or another structure just in one part of their mouth without needing a full set of dentures.

In summary, it’s generally the case that children’s dentists are trying to align the teeth already there and prevent future issues while adult dentists are dealing with current issues and are more likely to rely on artificial teeth as a cosmetic and functional solution.

• Equipment and Atmosphere

Often children’s dentists have waiting rooms that are playful and fun, providing an atmosphere that is inviting to children. The rooms are a bit more colorful and filled with toys. The psychology of the appointment extends beyond the decor of the room. Many pediatric dentists offer prizes, “No Cavity Clubs,” and other incentives to reward positive brushing habits.

This mentality affects the marketing of the practice, too. Giveaways will include colorful toothbrushes with cartoon characters, stickers, and samples of children’s products like kids’ mouthwash. The dentist may also stock more flavors of fluoride to make the visit interesting for the child. Many children’s dentists will advertise sedation, especially to appeal to concerned parents who think their children will not be able to sit still for a dental procedure.

Adult dentists tend to look more clinical and functional, although they will often highlight the new technology they use or advertise modern procedures. For example, an adult dentist may advertise laser gum surgery to entice patients to undergo restorative treatments.

Recommended products are usually more practical than fun. An adult dentist’s office may have an agreement to market teeth-whitening toothpaste, knowing their patients may be more concerned with their physical appearance and also have more purchasing power to try new approaches.

Different But Similar

In conclusion, the differences between adults and children in dentistry have a lot to do with the kinds of treatment they require. For parents, these factors matter when finding a specialist experienced in working with children. For dental hygiene students, these differences may guide the direction they wish to take in their careers. But at the end of the day, all dentists agree about the value of good oral health habits.