Family Dentistry

Family dentistry provides overall dental care services through diagnosis and treatment of dental problems for the whole family. These dental services include dental exams, teeth cleaning, teeth whitening, oral exams, and restorative procedures such as implant dentistry, composite fillings, cosmetic dentistry, and root canals. Your family dentist will work with you to set up a workable plan to maintain a healthy mouth and prevent dental problems. Knowing your teeth and gums is important to your overall dental and physical health, so he or she will show you ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy with daily/routine maintenance.

Many people confuse the meaning of a family dentist with a general dentist. Apart from several exceptions, the two are almost the same. A family dentist usually accepts any patient regardless of age, from children to the elderly. This makes them more convenient for those who want to consult the same dentist for all members of the family. If you have small children, a family dentist will take care of both their baby teeth and permanent teeth and supervise their health and growth.

A family dentist usually does basic dental work such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, and teeth whitening. They remove tartar or plaque that clings to the patient’s teeth to prevent gum disease - the number one cause of tooth loss in adults and keep them from decaying. Cavities are a major dental problem, so the dentist will regularly check your teeth for cavities and take necessary x-rays. If your dental problem needs specialty treatment, your dentist will refer you to a specialist.

It is best to visit your dentist regularly to avoid long-term dental problems. The benefit of having a family dentist is that he or she can constantly monitor the condition of your family dental health and keep an updated record of your dental history. Apart from preventive care, family dentists should be able to provide emergency treatments as well. Incidents such as getting a tooth chipped or knocked out should be taken care of in case a specialist is not available immediately.