When your child is sick, do you take him or her to a general practitioner or to a pediatrician? When choosing a babysitter, do you look for someone who has knowledge and experience regarding children? Most likely, you answered “pediatrician” and “yes, of course.” Choosing a family dentist to be your children’s dentist just makes sense.
A family dentist has the same knowledge of oral health as a general dentist, but they are also experts on the unique needs of children. Possessing kid-friendly skills and knowledge of children’s oral development provides your child with a more pleasant experience and better dental care.
You may be thinking, what about a pediatric dentist? While a pediatric dentist does offer some advantages, family dentists will benefit the whole family.
Continue reading to learn about all the benefits of choosing a family dentist to be your children’s dentist.
Education
A family dentist recognizes that children are unique and require special dental services as they grow. The development of baby teeth will impact your child’s bite, speech patterns, nutrition, as well as the development of their permanent teeth.
Based on their extensive knowledge of child dental development, the family dentist will help you provide proper oral care to your toddler. Once your child is old enough to take care of his or her own teeth, the dentist can teach them the correct brushing and flossing methods to prevent cavities and other oral health problems.
In this way, the dentist and parent can work together to train the child on how to care for his or her teeth and gums.
The Right Services
Your family dentist will ensure your child’s health by offering preventative services, such as:
- Routine examinations
- Regular cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Cavity detection
- Dental sealants
- Orthodontic assessments
A family dentist also provides all of the same preventative, restorative, and cosmetic services for adults as a general dentist does. This way, you and your child can receive dental care at the same place and time.
Long-lasting relationships
Children thrive in stability and familiarity. These two factors are extremely important in making your child feel comfortable and confident when visiting the dentist. Your child will know what to expect when you bring him to the dentist every six months, and he or she may even begin looking forward to it!
The family dentist and your child will love developing a relationship from their first appointment until much later in life. We love seeing adolescent patients return to our dental practice as young adults.
Family History
A family dentist can treat the youngest of children and oldest of adults. This means as the dentist gets to know you and your family, they will also know what dental problems to anticipate for your children. Gum disease, tooth decay, oral cancer, and dental misalignment often develop from underlying genetic factors.
By treating your dental problems, your children’s dentist can help him or her avoid teeth and gum problems that you may have experienced as a child.
Visit A Family Dentist Today
You only get one chance to give your child a good impression of the dentist, so choose the right one! Find a family dentist near you today. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children have their first dental visit by age 1 or within six months of their first tooth eruption.
Dr. Matthew L. Bridges proudly provides the families of Duncan, OK with family-friendly dentistry. He actually decided to pursue dentistry after volunteering with Give Kids a Smile Day for underprivileged children while he was in college studying software development. His passion for giving children beautiful smiles is still apparent today. Schedule an appointment with our team at 580-255-4880.
