Family dentistry involves addressing dental health at every stage of a patient’s life, specifically in kids and teenagers. Family dental practitioners are similar to general dentists but are typically more experienced in dealing with children. Some family dentists might even be qualified pediatricians. By choosing the same dentist for you and your kids, you have someone who will take care of the oral health of all of you throughout your lives.

Family dentistry focuses on general and preventive dentistry, providing common services such as regular cleanings and dental examinations, orthodontics, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and more. 

Since each of our family members have unique oral care needs, family dental services are very beneficial in tackling each family member’s different dental health issues. A family dental practitioner can take care of them all, from toddlers to teens to adults. 

The biggest benefit of having one dentist for every family member is that you just need to make one phone call to book appointments for all your family members’ dental checkups. This article will show several benefits of having a family dental practitioner.

What Is Family Dentistry?

Before you understand the advantages of family dentistry, you must understand what a family dental practitioner does.

• A dental practitioner for your whole family differs from a general dentist since family dentists receive special training.
• A family dental practitioner is qualified to work with children, though s/he might need to be more trained in dealing with children as a pediatric dentist. They can handle oral issues of all ages, from infants to teenagers to adults.
• A family density can treat dental issues of all ages, so they are a one-stop-shop solution for dental care for you and your children.

What All Family Dentists Can Do For Their Patients

A dental practitioner that treats everyone at your home is well-versed in the following dental care:

• Regular cleanings and exams – Patients of all ages must examine their teeth every six months to catch oral issues and prevent tooth decay.
• Dental sealants and fluoride treatment – Dental sealants and fluoride treatments can prevent tooth decay, especially in kids.
• Orthodontics – It is optional that your family dental practitioner can also offer in-house orthodontic treatment, but they do provide orthodontic exams and refer you to outside orthodontists if required.
• Fillings and cavity checks – Most endodontists trained in family dentistry specialize in dealing with cavities such as fillings for all ages.
• Gum disease treatment – If you have a dental practitioner for you and your kids, s/he can help in periodontal maintenance with services like scaling and root planing.

5 Biggest Advantages Of Having a Family Dental Practitioner

A professional family dentist helps maintain and improve the oral health of you and your near ones. Cost efficiency and time are two prominent advantages of having a single dental practitioner for you and your kids. Some of the other top five benefits are:

1. Reduce dental anxiety – Children and adults face anxiety and phobia when they have to go and see a dentist. A family dental practitioner will relieve this anxiety as you develop familiarity with them over time. It is true, especially for kids, as when they see you also going for treatment or check-ups, they become more comfortable with the dental practitioner and gain confidence. It will ensure regular dental checkups are not scary for you or your children and that your oral health is optimum.
2. It is convenient – Life gets easier when you have to make a single appointment for several people. This way, you do not have to leave work multiple times to take different people to the dental practitioner. You also do not have to run around to different dentists’ offices to accommodate the dental needs of you or your kids.
3. Solves dental genetic issues – Many of our dental problems are hereditary, and your kids can be around 64% more prone to cavities due to genetic factors. A dental practitioner who looks after you and your kids would have your complete dental history and be in a better position to deal with such genetic conditions. S/he will be able to proactively spot recurring oral issues and take preventive action against them for all of you. If there is any emergency, your dental practitioner would also know what treatment would suit you and what not.
4. Create personal and long-lasting relationships – Since family dentists see their patients throughout their lives, a personal dentist-patient relationship develops over the years. It enables the dentist to identify oral issues early. Trust is a crucial factor between a patient and a doctor, and if you see the same dental practitioner over the years, you build a strong bond with your dentist where you can share your fears easily with them.
5. Consistent and regular services – You and your kids must visit the dental office at least twice yearly to maintain good oral hygiene. If the same dental practitioner attends to your needs every time, you will experience consistent treatments. You and your children will get consistent services by having one dental practitioner for all of you.

A family dentist can take care of the oral needs of all ages. If you opt to have the same dentist for you and others at your home, dental appointments become convenient, cost-effective, and consistent.