What Is a Family Dentist?

Only 64.9% of adults and 85.9% of children have visited a dentist in the past year. Meanwhile, about 13.2% of children have untreated dental caries (cavities). Another 25.9% of adults have cavities as well.

Visiting your local family dentistry practice twice a year could benefit your entire family's oral health. 

If you're concerned about your family's dental health, you might start Googling "what is a family dentist?" Look no further for answers! In this guide, we'll review everything you need to know about family dentistry.

Once you understand the services a local dentist can offer, you can start booking appointments for the entire family. Learn more about family dentistry with this comprehensive guide today. 

What is Family Dentistry?
First, let's answer the question that likely brought you here: what is a family dentist?

Family dentists are extensively trained. They earn an undergraduate degree before attending dental school. Only then can they start treating patients.
Family dentists are a little different than general dentists.

It's a general dentist's job to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. These dentists tend to focus on a specific age group, though. For example, a general dentist might not treat patients under the age of 16.

If you have children who are younger, you'll need to find another dentist in town. Unfortunately, visiting more than one dentist can become tedious. You'll have to drive across town to make sure everyone attends their appointments.

General dentists can offer routine cleanings as well as other dentistry services, including:

• Dentures
• Veneers
• Tooth extractions
• Root canals
• Invisalign
• Bonding
• Crowns
• Dental Implants

Family dentists offer many of the same services a general dentist can provide. The key difference, however, lies with their patients. While general dentists focus on a specific age group, family dentists take patients of all ages.

You won't have to drive across town to make sure every family member receives the care they need. Instead, every family member can visit the same dentist in one convenient location. 

What Do Family Dentists Do?
Oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people around the world. Visiting an experienced family dentist can improve your entire family's oral health.
Most dentists focus on both general and preventative dentistry.

First, make sure to schedule a visit to your family dentistry practice every six months. Regular check-ups allow your dentist to check for oral health issues. They can spot signs of decay and disease before the problem becomes more severe.

If you have younger children, talk to your dentist about their development.
Your dentist will make sure their teeth are growing in properly. If you have a history of oral health issues, let your dentist know. They can keep an eye out for potential issues.

During your routine check-ups, ask your dentist about fluoride treatments, too. You might want to ask about dental sealants for your children as well.
These family dentistry services can help prevent tooth decay. 

Since tooth decay is common (especially in children), talk to your dentist about preventative dentistry services. First, your dentist will check for symptoms of cavities. If they identify a cavity, they can fill it.

Googling "best family dentist near me" can help your entire family receive the treatments they need. For example, you might need in-house orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics can ensure your family's teeth grow straight.

Straighter smiles can reduce the risk of future tooth decay.

If you have a family history of periodontal (gum) disease, let your dentist know. They can offer periodontal maintenance services. Otherwise, they might recommend scaling and root planing treatment. 

Benefits of Choosing a Family Dentist
On the fence about looking for "a family dentist near me"? Here are a few benefits of finding a family dentistry practice to keep in mind. 

1. Ease and Convenience
Imagine having a different dentist for yourself and your kids. Scheduling multiple appointments throughout the year isn't efficient. You could waste valuable time and experience unnecessary stress.

Instead, you can enjoy the ease and convenience of visiting a single dentist for the entire household.

You can simplify your schedule by scheduling one appointment for the whole family. Choosing a reliable, experienced dentist can make life easier in the long run. 

2. Family History
Your dentist will have a comprehensive understanding of your entire family's dental history. They'll know if you struggled with dental diseases in the past. They can also consider your past surgeries or allergies.

You'll find peace of mind knowing they'll have all this information on record. Your dentist will know which treatments and procedures your family will need. 

3. Regular Services
It's important to schedule regular appointments with your family dentist. Scheduling routine cleanings can help your family avoid oral diseases. You'll have peace of mind with consistent treatments and services.

Your dentist can help you focus more on preventative care, too.

For example, they can teach your children how to brush and floss properly. Your children will start following your example, too. They'll recognize the importance of prioritizing their oral health because you do.

You can visit the dentist as a family feeling confident you'll receive the best possible services. 

4. Ease Dental Anxiety
Many children develop dental anxiety. While it's normal, it could cause them to avoid the dentist in the future. Remember, routine check-ups are essential for their oral health.

Taking them to the dentist while they're young can help ease their dental anxiety. They might feel more comfortable visiting the dentist when their siblings do, too. 

5. Lasting Relationships
Finding a reliable, experienced dentist you can trust can feel like an exhausting endeavor. You shouldn't have to look for a different dentist for each family member. Instead, you can develop a lasting relationship with a single dentist.

Meanwhile, your children can continue receiving treatment from the same dentist, even as they grow older. 

What is a Family Dentist? Your Guide to Stunning Smiles
To recap, what is a family dentist?
It's a single dentist your entire family can visit for treatment! Consider looking for a family dentistry practice nearby for your entire family.
 
Want to schedule an appointment for your entire family? We can't wait to see you all!

Contact us today to get started.