Family Dentistry

What is family dentistry?

Similar to general dentistry, which focuses on prevention and maintenance, family dentistry specializes on the dental needs of patients in every stage of life, with a special focus on children.

Family dentists understand the importance of dental care for every member of the family, including infants, kids, teenagers, adults and seniors — all of whom have different needs and goals when it comes to their teeth, from baby to permanent — as well as the overall health of their mouths and bodies.

When should children start seeing a dentist?

To get your kids used to visiting the dentist/dental hygienist for routine cleanings, dental exams, treatments and procedures, it’s a good idea to bring them along with you for your family dentistry appointments when they’re younger.

Children are like sponges and if they see you going to the dentist without fear, they’ll likely do the same when their time comes around.

Learning healthy dental habits from a young age, when their baby teeth come in, will help your kids avoid problems later on in life when their permanent teeth come in. That’s why it’s recommended for kids to start seeing a family dentist regularly when they’re approximately three years old.

What are the dental services offered by family dentists/family dentistry practices?

Routine dental cleanings should be scheduled every six months so that your family dentist can scale and polish your teeth regularly, as well as check for cavities.

Family dentists will often adjust/extend their office hours to evenings and weekends so busy families can visit when it’s most convenient for them.

Family dentistry practices often takes care of oral emergencies and makes a variety of payments options available to their clients so they can treat families in a variety of income brackets.

Who do family dentists treat?

Family dentistry practices treat patients of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. By having one dentist or dentistry practice treat the entire family, you can take care of everyone’s mouths and oral health issues together in one place.

Family dentists teach kids about caring for their teeth, provide extra information about issues like nutrition and mouth guards to teenagers, help adults with their own dental needs and provide specialized care for seniors who wear dentures and/or take medications.

The more your family dentist knows about your family’s particular dental issues, including family history and genetics, the better they’ll be able to provide a personalized and specialized treatment plan for every member of your family.

How can you help maintain your family’s oral health?

Scheduling routine dental cleanings every six months to professionally remove the tartar that has built up is essential, as is having a healthy home routine that includes flossing, brushing and mouthwash.

Eating nutritiously, avoiding sugar and not smoking are also strongly recommended.

Why is dental health so important?

In addition to preventing cavities and other oral problems/diseases, dental health is strongly linked to overall health.

Maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth reduces the risk of other health problems such as: