7 Types of Family Dentistry Services
Almost 45% of people across the country over two years old visit the dentist at least once a year, though it really should be 100%. Seeing a dentist helps a person maintain good oral health with can affect their overall well-being and health status.
The job of a dentist sounds pretty basic; check on people’s teeth and keep them clean. But in reality, there is a lot more that goes into family dentistry to meet all of the patients’ needs. So many things can go wrong in the mouth and it’s the dentist’s job to Cath them quickly, remedy the issue, and then prevent anything from happening again.
We’ve broken down the job of family dentists to show you where they can help you and the services you should look for when trying to find a new dental office to visit.
1. General Cleaning and Checkups
Obviously, one of the most important reasons to visit a dentist is to get a general cleaning and check-up. Things in your mouth can change quickly and the negative consequences can accelerate significantly in a short time period. So it’s important to be seen regularly by professionals who can detect early signs for fast resolution.
When you see a dentist every six months, you’ll get a deep clean. This is when the hygienist will remove all of the excess plaque and debris that may be too stuck for a regular brush to remove. They’ll also do a quick inspection for any issues.
The dentist will then come in and give you a more thorough exam. During this time you can ask questions and get education on how to best take care of your mouth.
Without these regular visits, it’s hard to get a baseline for your oral health and keep things in line.
2. Cavity Fillings
Generally, one of those bi-annual visits will include x-rays of the mouth. An x-ray allows the dentist to see into the teeth and find any weak points or full-blown cavities.
When cavities are found, you’ll have to come back to your dentist to get the hole filled. If you put off a filling for too long, the area can become more infected leading to a lot of pain and discomfort. It can even result in the tooth having to be removed altogether. It’s best to get a cavity taken care of as quickly as possible.
3. Cosmetic Procedures
Not all dental visits are completely related to overall health and wellness, sometimes it’s more for the cosmetic side of things. Advanced family dentistry can help you get that dream smile through a wide variety of cosmetic procedures.
This could include shaping the teeth to be more smooth or fit together better, whitening the smile, and rejuvenating gums for a healthier overall look. It’s a good idea to speak with your regular provider before any of these procedures as they know the overall health of your teeth and what the best course of action will be!
4. Orthodontic Appliances
There are some times when cosmetic dentistry and functional dentistry intersect to give you both a better look and better working teeth. This is mainly done through orthodontics.
Orthodontics is used to straighten the teeth, which allows them to chew food more thoroughly for better digestion and relieve the pressure that comes from crowding and overlapping. This can be a great way to prevent further issues and damage done to teeth. Straight teeth are generally deemed more aesthetically pleasing and something people desire for their ideal smile as well.
5. Teeth Removal
On occasion, a tooth will need to be removed altogether which is something family dentists can handle in their office during a regular visit.
Sometimes it’s naturally time for the tooth to come out, like if all the surrounding teeth have fallen out, but it won’t budge. The dentist can pull baby teeth to make room for the permanent ones to grow. Other times, the tooth becomes so damaged or infected that there’s no saving it. When that is the case, it should be removed to avoid further issues.
While not a common occurrence for most people, it’s important to have someone who can handle that job for you if the time comes.
6. Implants and Replacement Teeth
When there is a problem with a permanent tooth that requires it to be pulled, you’ll likely want to get a replacement put in to cover the whole. This is done both for looks and to make sure you can use your mouth properly as well.
An implant dentist can help you to get a new tooth that looks exactly like the original (or better!). Implants are generally molded to fit the smile and then attached to a metal rod that’s been placed in the jaw bone. They are designed to function like a natural tooth and last much longer!
7. Preventative Measures
The best thing your family dentist can do for you is set you up on a treatment plan that will be more preventative to avoid any oral health issues in the first place.
Beyond the regular inspections and cleanings, they may offer fluoride treatments that are designed to strengthen the enamel and help you avoid cavities. Since the fluoride is painted on the teeth, it doesn’t add any extra time to appointments and can easily be done on a regular basis.
They’ll also help you with any specific treatment options that can help you avoid issues they are seeing during your check-ups.
Types of Family Dentistry Services
When you regularly visit the dentist, you’re more likely to have strong, healthy teeth and overall better health. The strength of our teeth can have huge impacts on many areas of our body, including the digestive system, so it’s important to stay on top of it.
Finding a good family dentistry office can make going to these appointments much easier. It’s helpful if you can find a practice that covers all of your (and your family’s) needs in one spot, so you don’t have to find a new provider for every new service. Once you have a dentist you love and can trust, you’ll be more likely to have great oral health!
If you’re interested in learning more health and wellness tips, check out our other articles today!
