What Is a Family Dentist?

As we go through life, our teeth, gums, and oral health needs all change. When you have a family, you may be looking to find a dentist who can meet your oral health needs, as well as help your children with theirs. Does this kind of dentist exist? The good news is it does! Family dentistry practices are appealing to family because they often offer dentists who specialize in different areas all in one practice. This allows you to visit one practice to meet all of the oral health needs of your family. You may be looking for a pediatric dentist, an endodontist, and an orthodontist, and there is a good chance you can find them all under one roof with the right family dentistry practice. So what is family dentistry exactly? Below is more detailed information about what exactly defines a family dentist.

Training in Family Dentistry

In dental school, general dentists learn to help patients maintain the health of their teeth, gums, and jaw bones. To become a family dentist a dental student is required to complete additional training. Family dentists receive training in the treatments required throughout life, from early life into older adulthood. The same treatment may be very different when it needs to be performed on a child versus an older adult. Family dentists are not only trained, but have experience in treatment patients of all ages.

Preventive Care

The primary focus of family dentistry is providing preventive oral care. Preventive care includes maintaining the health of all of the teeth and their supporting tissues, including the gums. Appointments at a family dentist will include comprehensive oral exams, x-rays, routine professional cleanings, and preventive treatments to treat premature decay. Family dentists are focused on monitoring and identifying early signs of symptoms of tooth infection and decay.

A big part of preventive care provided by family dentists is oral health education for young patients. Family dentists will spend time with their young patients to discuss how important it is to maintain the health of their teeth and make sure they understand how their healthy habits at home can minimize future dental issues.

Family Dental Services

Most Family Dentists pride themselves on providing a wide range of oral health care services to patients of all ages. These services usually include preventive care, routine professional cleanings, implants and dental crown installations, and sometimes cosmetic treatments.

One of the important things about finding a good family dentist is finding a practice where you can possibly schedule appointments for multiple family members at the same time. You may also want to go and visit the family dentist you are considering before setting up an appointment. The practice office should be welcoming for all of the members of your family, including young patients. If you are considering having the members of your family see a family dentist, you should feel confident in knowing the family dentists at your dentistry have had specific training and experience in working with patients of all ages and with a wide span of oral health needs.

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