4 Benefits Of Having A Family Dentist

dental care

Now that your years of being single are behind you, you now have additional responsibilities to tackle, the most important of which concerns the health of your spouse and kids. When it comes to their health, perhaps the most neglected is their oral health. This mindset can often be a mistake since oral health has a direct impact on your overall physical and mental health. Additionally, good oral health will give the entire family the confidence needed to tackle daily challenges.

Moreover, any oral issues that continue to progress can cause discomfort, pain, and financial stress. A kid suffering from pain is a nightmare for any parent. One way of addressing oral concerns is to visit a family dentist regularly. But why a family dentist?

In a nutshell, family dentists are trained extensively and can provide dental for an individual from infancy through adulthood. A family dentist won’t only provide your entire family with a great smile and reduce the chances of infections from gum diseases and tooth decay, but you also get to enjoy the following benefits:

A single dentist for the whole family

As the name suggests, a family dentist has the experience of offering dental care to patients of all ages with varying dental conditions. Having one dentist means you don’t have to travel to different dental clinics just so all your family members can have a regular dental checkup. Furthermore, one family dentist also means they can provide the family with a health plan so you can check on each other daily.

In addition to dental hygiene, a family dentist can also provide dental cosmetic needs. Some cosmetic services general dentists provide include braces, veneers, or implants. Hence, say one member wants to have a regular cleaning session while another member wants to have braces fitted. With one family dentist, you won’t have to jump through hoops going to different professionals.

family dentist

Eliminate dental anxiety

Odontophobia, or dental anxiety, is a serious issue from which both adults and children suffer. This fear can be the cause why some individuals delay or avoid dental treatments completely, which can have negative consequences for one’s health in the long run. If any of your family members have dental anxiety, it’s best to conduct dental checkups together as a family. (1)

As mentioned, both adults and children can have odontophobia, but children specifically develop this at an early age. Most family dentists will have some experience as a childrens dentist, and they will help overcome this fear. If your kids see you’re also going to the dentist for a checkup with them, this gives them the confidence to face the dentist, knowing they’re with you. Going to a family dentist together will help them overcome odontophobia, allowing them to be comfortable with any dentist.

Prevent genetic problems

If all family members visit the same dentist, it’s easier to detect any gum problems or signs of tooth decay, both of which can be hereditary. So if you have some symptoms of genetic oral problems, your family dentist can then give special attention to your child. Knowing your issues now can help family dentists create a plan for your children to prevent any damage to their oral health in the long run.

Here are some dental genetic problems a family dentist can prevent:

  • Anodontia: Total absence of teeth, which is extremely rare.
  • Hypodontia: Also called partial anodontia, this is when the patient is missing one to five teeth from birth, excluding wisdom teeth. The most common teeth missing are the lateral incisors and the second premolars. 
  • Dentinogensis Imperfecta: Causes tooth discoloration or teeth may appear translucent. The teeth may also be weak and more susceptible to breakage. 
  • Amelogenesis Imperfecta: This condition results in missing or defective enamel. Since the enamel is missing, it can cause malocclusion or misalignment of the teeth. (2)

Educate the family on oral hygiene and health

Under normal circumstances, good oral hygiene, like daily flossing and brushing, will keep the bacteria in your mouth under control. But without proper knowledge of oral hygiene, bacteria can run rampant, leading to oral infections like gum disease and tooth decay. (3)

By going to a family dentist, they will instruct you and your family on the proper way to brush or floss your teeth, as well as the right toothpaste to select. The dentist may even recommend the best diet and other considerations so your family will have the best oral care. Lastly, your family dentist will update you about your family’s oral health regularly, as well as the latest practices and technologies in dentistry that can be beneficial for you, your spouse, and your kids.

Wrapping up

As discussed above, having a family dentist should be a part of your goal to overall positive health outcomes. Not only can going to a family dentist ease the phobia of a dentist visit, but you can also detect any hereditary conditions early on, giving your kids an added security that their smiles are going to be perfect. Lastly, a family dentist is the perfect resource when it comes to oral hygiene and health.

References

  1. “7 Amazing Benefits of Having a Family Dentist”, Source: https://www.daasdentistry.com/7-amazing-benefits-of-having-a-family-dentist
  2. “Are Oral Health Issues Genetic? 10 Conditions to Know”, Source: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/developmental-disabilities/are-oral-health-issues-genetic-10-conditions-to-know
  3. “Oral health: A window to your overall health”, Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475