5 Services a Family Dentist Provides

Family dentists are general dentists with the bonus of being able to care for all members of your family. This means we conveniently provide personalized services to protect everyone's oral health. Let us look at five popular services that can benefit all of you.

1. Comprehensive cleanings and evaluations

The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends that people begin receiving biannual dental evaluations or checkups when their first tooth erupts or no later than 12 months of age. This is because, during these evaluations, the family dentist checks for signs that threaten one's oral health or development, including children's. Threats can include gum disease, decay, infection, and lesions.

They will also check to ensure the patient performs effective oral hygiene practices and avoids bad habits, such as teeth grinding, teeth clenching, or thumb-sucking. Moreover, for younger patients, the dentist checks their dental development. If a malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth or jaw) is forming, they can provide early intervention or recommend the next steps the patient should take.

2. Preventative services

Comprehensive evaluations also allow family dentists to recommend preventative services to each individual. For example, children who often need help maintaining optimal oral hygiene may benefit from dental sealants. Dental sealants are thin coatings applied to the back molars, preventing food and debris from getting trapped in the grooves. This significantly decreases their chances of getting cavities in the most common areas of the mouth. The dentist may recommend fluoride treatments for adults, which strengthen the enamel between biannual evaluations. Furthermore, they can recommend products, routines, services, and diets for those with an increased risk of developing a condition such as gum disease or sensitive teeth.

3. Cavity treatments

Of course, cavities can still manifest, often a result of poor oral hygiene. Therefore, depending on the size and location of the mouth, the family dentist will craft a treatment plan to rid the mouth of the threat. Manually removing a cavity, no matter how small, is necessary. Once the family dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth, they will need to either restore it using a dental filling or protect its new vulnerability with a dental crown. For those whose decay reaches the pulp chamber, the location of the connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves will require a root canal before restoration.

4. Periodontal treatments

Periodontal (gum) treatments are necessary for sensitive or diseased gums. The family dentist can recommend appropriate toothpaste, gels, or mouth rinses for sensitive gums. However, gum disease occurs in two phases: early and periodontal. The early phase will require a procedure known as root scaling and planing to rid the mouth of infection. The family dentist will also prescribe a medicated mouth rinse or prescription medication to take for some time. However, if it progresses due to poor oral care, the disease can only be managed, often requiring more appointments throughout the year.

5. Oral cancer screenings

Unless a patient is genetically predisposed or has a medical history of oral cancer, the family dentist will begin screening them for oral cancer at the age of 18. Often, this can take place during comprehensive cleanings and evaluations. If they suspect the disease or find any signs of it, they will recommend the patient to an oncologist for a formal diagnosis and treatment.