If you’ve ever been on the lookout for a dentist for yourself or your family, you’ve probably heard of the term ‘family dentist”. But what exactly is a family dentist? And how do they differ from a general one?
Family dentistry is the branch of dentistry that deals with offering oral healthcare services to patients of all ages. The dentist practicing in this field is called a family dentist.
As the name suggests, a family dentist is a dental practitioner for your entire family. They are trained and responsible to treat people from infancy till they become seniors.
According to the American Dental Association, most dentists in America (around 80%) practice general dentistry. They usually are your primary care dentist.
Both general and family dentists receive the same kind of education. The difference, however, lies in the ages of the patients they see. General dentists usually have a specific age gap for their patients. On the other hand, family dentists are open to all ages.
For this reason, a family dentist undergoes extra training – so that they are in a better position to provide oral care throughout the growing and changing years. They also receive extra education to be aware of how the body and the mouth evolve as a person grows older.
Visiting a family dentist has significant advantages. Some of them are mentioned below –
As mentioned earlier, a family dentist provides oral care to entire families. This makes it very convenient to meet your regular checkups. You can schedule multiple appointments for different members on the same day (if the office has the time). Furthermore, you avoid the hassle of taking different people to different dental establishments for their care.
Because the responsibility of a family dentist is providing care to various age groups, you will find many services available at their office. Whether it’s preventive care for kids and teens, general care for adults, or restorative care for older people – a family dentist will have them all.
Dental anxiety and the fear of dentists aren’t exclusive to little humans. Many adults experience these fears and avoid seeing the dentist until a situation is out of control. This leads to worsened oral health, prolonged treatment times, and expensive bills. When families visit the dentist together, it helps the child or the adult with the phobia feel a little comfortable. Additionally, family dentists are trained in behavior counseling and management and can help the patient feel in control at the office. This usually allows the child or the adult to be at ease.
A family dentist doesn’t just provide services. They also impart knowledge on how to best care for your oral health to both kids and adults. When kids see their parents or older siblings pay attention to the dentist’s instructions, they are more inclined to follow the guidelines at home. This helps kids in maintaining a healthy relationship with their oral care.
As we’ve made obvious earlier, you can find versatile services at a family dental office. A family dentist is well-versed with all the changes that occur as the body grows older, making them the perfect practitioner to provide dental care.
Regular Checkups and Cleanings
Good oral hygiene practices at home along with professional checkups every 6 months are imperative to maintain oral health. A family dentist performs routine checkups and cleanings for both kids and adults, making sure their dental health is unhampered.
Fluoride Varnish and Sealant Applications
To prevent kids from getting cavities, your family dentist will coat their teeth with fluoride or sealants. These protect decay from settling into teeth.
Filling Cavities
Should you or your child experience cavities, your family dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and replace it with a filling. This helps prevent the spread of infection and preserves the tooth in the jaw.
Restorations
Aside from cavities, if you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, a family dentist can help restore it. They can choose to fix the tooth with the help of dental bonding or a dental crown. Both options restore the tooth’s structural and functional integrities.
Tooth Replacements
If someone has lost a tooth (or teeth), a family dentist can replace the missing tooth (or teeth) with the help of dental bridges or dentures. The choice of replacement depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of the patient’s oral health, and their choice.
Dr. Taylor Majerus and Dr. David Tycast are the dental experts at Dental On First located in New Prague, MN. They offer various treatments to help restore not just your smile but also your confidence. Their skills combined with our state-of-the-art dental setup are the perfect place for you and your loved ones.
To schedule an appointment with our experts, you can call (952) 758-3003. You can also fill in this form.
At Dental on First, our aim is that every patient should leave smiling. And our dental team is highly knowledgeable, professionally skilled, and expertly trained to use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to produce healthy and beautiful smiles for you.
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