Family Dentistry Benefits Everyone
What
makes family dentistry one of the most important things you can do for all
members of your household? Well, for one, if you care about your family’s
health, you know you need to take care of their teeth, and you likely already
know that you need to schedule regular checkups. The best preventative care for
needing to make emergency trips to the dentist is to take care of your teeth at
home everyday – brushing and flossing. Maybe even using mouthwash if that’s
what’s best for you. And choosing a great local family dentist will be the
final piece of the puzzle that keeps your family’s dental health at its peak.
Equipped
for Everyone’s Needs
The best local family dentistry offices will be prepared for patients of all ages and most common care needs. So in addition to performing cleanings and routine checkups, most family dentist’s office will also be able to fill cavities, strengthen and coat teeth, perform whitenings, and can accommodate many patients with special needs.
Kids
Dentists
One of the most specific and spectacular things about family dentists is that they are prepared to handle family members of all ages and sizes – which means kids! Family dentists are convenient because members of your family of all ages can go there, including the little ones who are just getting used to these dental visits as part of their healthcare routine. Most family dentistry practices will have special equipment that is the right size for kids, and is colorful and less intimidating to them than adult dental equipment might be. Bright, fun-colored characters, specialty flavors of toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash, and other small touches that make dental visits not so bad, family dentists can be counted on to make it easier to take your kids to the dentist.
Sedation
Dentistry
Some family dentists will be able to accommodate people with extreme anxiety or difficulty lying still, which causes them to need sedation in order to sustain their dental visit. If you’re the type of person who has considered sedation dentistry before, talk to your family dentist about what they offer. They may be able to provide you a restful, relaxing experience free of fear, or they may refer you to a specialty dentist who can take care of everything you need.
Bridges,
Crowns, Dentures
Most family dentistry practices will be equipped not only to handle healthy, real teeth, but to care for the dental implants and replacements that many people have had to get over the years. In addition to cleaning and maintaining fillings, many family dentists can repair or replace simple dental implants and tooth work. If you need more advanced work, your family dentist should be able to refer you for quick, simple work at a specialist.
Dental
Urgent Care
Emergencies
happen – despite your best efforts to prevent them. When someone in your family
is suffering an illness or mouth injury that is causing them tooth pain, call
your family dentistry practice immediately. Often, they can recommend an
over-the-counter solution that should help tide you over until you get in for
an office visit. And many urgent dental situations can be handled by a general
family dentist, without being referred to a specialist. However, in the case
that you need a specialist to deal with your dental injury or an illness that’s
affecting your mouth health, your family dentist can recommend and work with
the specialist to see you get the care you need.
Family Dentistry: Long-Term Investment
Studies show that most people (more than 70%) don’t switch dentists after they’ve settled into one. Once you’ve set up your insurance and learned the procedures at a specific dental office, it’s easiest simply to renew your appointment with them when they call in six months than to find another dentist’s office. Not surprisingly, unless American’s move, nearly 80% of the time they stay with the dentist they’re already with, even if there are closer or less expensive dentists in the area.
Is it time to think about switching your family dentist? If so, what will you look for in your next dentist’s office? And once you find the right dentist, don’t you want to know you’ve chosen the right one before you settle into a long-term family dentistry relationship? Think about who is taking care of your mouth, and remember that the number one person responsible for your health is you!