The odds are good that you, like most people, have not been consistent with dental visits. You may have even paid the price for that, by developing cavities and other dental health issues. Neglecting dental visits can contribute to serious health problems, including bacterial infections, heart disease, and diabetes. Furthermore, when oral health concerns aren’t addressed early, they can become physically and financially painful.
Keep your family from experiencing the consequences of inconsistent dental care. To make visits convenient, find a family dentist who can take care of your spouse, children, and even your parents.
Dr. Matthew L. Bridges of Chisholm Trail Smile Center is an experienced family dentist who knows how important it is to have both a great smile and good oral health. He and our team want you to understand how a family dentist can benefit you and your family.
General, Preventive, and Comprehensive Dental Treatment for Everyone
Family dentists are general dentists, but not all general dentists are family dentists.
The Youngest Patients Need Special Care
Adults and children have different dental needs. Family dentists welcome children of all ages, and many, like Dr. Bridges, have experience treating children. Kids respond best to dentists and dental team members who look them in the eye, smile, and answer all of their questions. Parents appreciate children’s dentists who will look them in the eye, smile, and answer all of their questions, too!
Dr. Bridges and our team love kids. In fact, Dr. Bridges became a dentist because he sincerely enjoyed volunteering at a non-profit event that provided dental care for low-income children.
We maintain a positive, fun attitude and atmosphere so that our youngest patients feel respected and appreciated. Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday, then annually thereafter or when any abnormalities develop in the mouth. When a kiddo reaches age four or five, six-month checkups and cleanings are important.
If you choose Chisholm Trail Smile Center, you will benefit from knowing that your children’s dentist will see them all through childhood, adolescence, college graduation, and beyond.
Adult Patients Have Various Oral Health Needs — and Wants
Family dentists usually offer cosmetic dentistry for professional or image-conscious adults who want a beautiful smile. Dr. Bridges can place veneers and he prefers to use natural-looking materials for restorations, like crowns and bonding.
More mature patients may need old, failing dental work replaced. Some need replacement teeth, like bridges, partials, and full dentures. Dr. Bridges offers these treatments, as well as dental implants to secure dentures or replace individual teeth. The risk of developing gum disease increases as we age. Dr. Bridges treats all levels of gum disease and works with a respected periodontist for advanced cases of periodontitis.
Reduce the Need for Restorative Dental Care
Chisholm Trail Smile Center provides preventive dental care to maintain your family’s healthy smiles. It’s counterintuitive to running a business with repeat customers, but Dr. Bridges and our team want to help you avoid the need for dental work. Your healthy, strong, bold and beautiful smile makes us happy.
Preventive care includes checkups and cleanings every six months (more often for patients undergoing gum disease treatments). It also involves you taking good care of your teeth at home, brushing twice and flossing once every single day.
When we find soft enamel during a checkup, we know a cavity could form in that area. In some cases, just monitoring the area and using a remineralizing mouthwash may deter the bacteria from causing decay. Other times, placing a tiny surface filling will eliminate the potential for bacteria growing to create a deeper, painful cavity. This is just one example of how preventive care and early treatment maintain good oral health and help our patients avoid the need for more invasive, expensive restorative care in the future.
Convenient Appointments for Everyone
At a family dentist’s office, you can schedule appointments for some or all of your family at one time and in one place. Personal commitments, work, school, and family activities may keep you running all day, all week long. Streamlining visits to the family dentist should help make your busy schedule a little easier.
If you choose a family dentist, keeping track of routine checkups and cleanings for all of your family members requires communication with only one office. This helps with long-term family calendar planning.
A Family Dentist in Duncan, for Bray and Surrounding Areas
Your loved ones are welcome here. We want to know them by name! As a family dentist, Dr. Matthew L. Bridges provides dental care to all kinds of families from Bray and surrounding towns. He believes in delivering compassionate care and creating a comfortable setting where families feel welcome and happy. Contact us at (580) 255-4880 to schedule preventive checkups and cleanings or a consultation with Dr. Bridges.
