Why A Family Dentist Makes A Difference

Many families concerned with their health care will be sure to visit their dentist at least twice a year for a check-up. While the adults in the family are usually only concerned with a basic teeth cleaning and preventative care, the children in the family will need a different type of care. Fortunately, a family dentist will be qualified to treat adult patients, as well as their pediatric patients.

Unlike adults, children do not have a permanent set of teeth. Instead, children will grow two sets of teeth. The baby teeth will begin to emerge in early childhood, and then lose those teeth to make room for adult teeth; most children will lose their set of baby teeth by the age of 15. Until then, there are many differences in caring for juvenile patients that a general dentist is not qualified to do. Furthermore, children are more prone to cavities, tooth rot, and malformations that a pediatric dentist is trained to diagnose and treat. A pediatric dentist will see patients as young as six months of age. Although children this young will not have a complete set of teeth, it is important for the dentist to be able to monitor the incoming teeth because even without teeth, there are many complications that can occur. For instance, habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use can cause the teeth to grow in crooked. The dentist will counsel their patients on these types of habits to prevent complications as the permanent teeth begin to grow.

These dentist will receive an additional two years of training after completing their studies in dental school. Many times a pediatric dentist will focus their practice exclusively on caring for pediatric patients. However, because a pediatric dentist also has the proper training to care for adult patients, there are some dental practices that focus on all members of the family.

It is important to form good habits in health care early in life. Besides an annual visit with a family doctor, it is as equally important to see a dentist twice a year. This is especially true for the younger members of the family, who will grow two sets of teeth in their young lives. A pediatric dentist will focus on the younger members of the family. Even without a full set of teeth, these dentists can help form good habits in daily brushing, flossing, and overall oral care. Luckily, it is possible to find a general dentist who also has training in pediatric dentistry. This proves to be more convenient for those families that are concerned about good overall health care.